10 Things to Know about Oral Sex and STI’s

3. Oral Sex and STIs Increase Cancer Risks

When most people think of oral STIs, they see them as a relatively harmless mouth infection that can be treated easily. Unfortunately, the potential side effects of oral STIs are actually way more severe. People with HPV in the mouth or throat have a heightened risk of developing oral and neck cancer. This happens because HPV interferes with normal cell function and causes mutated cells to develop. Knowing whether or not you have oral HPV is important because you need regular cancer screenings if you have the condition.