Changing sexual habits raise mouth cancer risk

The number of people diagnosed with mouth cancer has almost trebled in the past five years because of smoking, alcohol addiction, and changing sexual habits.

The situation, which is causing 210 cases of the potentially fatal condition every year, is set to be revealed at the upcoming Irish Dentists Association’s annual conference.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner before the meeting in Kilkenny City on Friday, leading expert Paddy McCann said mouth cancer has traditionally been linked only to a person’s alcohol and smoking habits. However, in recent years, the hidden health risks of oral sex have resulted in a surge in cases due to the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is most commonly known to cause cervical cancer.