KISSING overtakes smoking as leading risk for head and neck cancers: Top doctor warns of 'tsunami' of oral human papilloma virus cases
- Kissing can pass on the human papilloma virus (HPV)
- Cancer risk 250 times greater for people infected by HPV in the oropharynx
- Kissing has surpassed drinking and smoking as the leading risk factor
- The more people you kiss, the greater your risk of contracting HPV
Kissing has overtaken smoking and drinking as the leading risk factor for developing head and neck cancers.
The
humble French kiss can pass on human papilloma virus (HPV), and Head of
Maxillofacial and Head and neck Surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital,
Dr Mahiban Thomas, said the virus was responsible for 70% of head and
neck cancer cases.
Dr
Thomas told Daily Mail Australia if you became infected by HPV in the
oropharynx, your risk of developing head and neck cancer was 250 times
higher than that of someone without the virus.
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