A professor of medicine at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH), Adegboyega Fawole, has warned of the discovery of Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) in the throat of people who indulge in oral sex.
Fawole of the Department of Gynaecology, UITH, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ilorin that HPV was mostly sexually transmitted.
He said the virus caused almost all cases of cervical cancer and could cause genital warts and anal cancer.
“Oral sex has been linked with an increased risk of acquiring HPV infection in the mouth and with an increased risk of developing oral cancers that are caused by HPV.
“However, sex in general has also been linked with these risks,” he said.
The gynaecologist warned that those indulging in oral sex are twice more likely to have oral HPV infection than those who do not.
Fawole, however, said there is no need for individuals in monogamous relationships to restrict their sexual activities if the pair is in good health.
He advised the citizens to form the habit of doing regular medical check-ups, to guard against cancer of any kind.