Which sexual practice increases a type of cancer in young men

Just over two decades ago, cases of oral cancer in the country occurred in people who had smoked and drank for 20 years or more, epidemiological profile which in recent years has changedtriggering alerts both among health authorities and among researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

According to the head of the unit dental clinic of the National School of Advanced Studies (ENES) of León, The German Villanueva Sanchez“the toxic substances of tobacco in combination with ethanol form a direct solution, which in the oral cavity affects the nuclei of cells, which makes them unstable so that they mutate and cause malignant noplasia or oral cancer”.

However, for tobacco use to be considered the cause of oral cancer in young people between the ages of 18 and 30 – an age group in which an increase in cases has recently been identified – they would have to started smoking between the ages of five and ten, so researchers at the Maximum House of Studies in Mexico pointed to another trigger: human papillomavirus (HPV).

“We have seen that their cases are HPV-related, for orogenital intercourse. This is a cancer that, just as it affects the cervix in women, also damages the oral cavity. The virus responsible has an affinity for the epithelium and the dermis (…) lesions in the mouth are small papillomas, warts, and/or cauliflower-shaped warts“, explained the expert Germán Villanueva Sánchez.

The academic explained in a bulletin recently published by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that Currently, more than 200 human papillomavirus (HPV) viral subtypes are known. 16 of them are related to oral cancer while 18 are related to pharyngeal cancer.

“This does not mean that a person who has had oral sex and is infected with HPV in the oral cavity will immediately develop cancer. Individuals have an immune system that protects us and if it is strong there is often no injury. To the extent that you have these practices with several partners, and you are infected several times, the possibility of developing them is greater. To this must be added other factors: if one smokes, drinks or does not have a good diet”, declared the head of the dental clinic of the National School of Higher Education (ENES), unit of Leon.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines leukoplakia and erythroplakia as precancerous lesions of the oral cavity. Macules or white or very red spots which can be localized on the lateral edges of the tongue.

“Dentists, general dentists are our eyes because pathologists cannot be everywhere. If these spots are detected in patients, they should be evaluated by a specialist in oral pathology and, if necessary, biopsies, to rule out a precancerous lesion or established cancer“, argued the university academic.

As preventive measures, Villanueva Sánchez recalled that to have adequate oral health you should brush your mouth and teeth three times a dayfloss and use mouthwashes diluted in water.

In addition, the expert pointed out the importance of encouraging self-exploration, that is, people check their oral cavity and if they detect anything suspicious – like a bullet or a stain – go to the dentist immediately. If you have a wound or ulcer that does not heal in 20 days a biopsy will be required.

In the same way, the academic advised to do a panoramic X-ray every year because sometimes lesions develop intraosseously and clinically they are not visible.