"I am not denying that there appears to be an association between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancers. My first point was that the main proven association of HPV causing cancer is cervical carcinoma. Which has far stroger causality with HPv than oral cancers."
-Although up until now that has been the general consensus of opinion, evidence is emerging all the time that would indicate otherwise:
"A study done by Dr. No-Hee Park showed that the mouth was, at the cellular level, structurally very similar to the vagina and cervix. Both organs have the same type of epithelial cells that are the target of HPV 16 and HPV 18. The majority of oral cancers are cancers of epithelial cells, primarily squamous cell carcinomas, not unlike the cancers that affect the cervix. Dr. Park's study also showed that smoking and drinking alcohol help promote HPV invasion.. Combine tobacco and alcohol with HPV, and the epithelial cells in the mouth, and you may have the formula for the development of an oral cancer". Source: HPV Cancer Human Papilloma Virus Mouth Cancer Oral Sex
"My second point was that the incidence of this type of cancer is nothing compared to say for example lung cancer - which is directly attributable to smoking. Yet no one seems to bat an eyelid about smoking (and the majority of escorts I know do smoke).
-That's unsurprising, as it is an extremely stressful job at times, and addictions to nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs are fairly commonplace within the sex industry. Of course you are right about smoking and lung cancer,but then look how many doctors smoke..
Suddenly now there is an absolute panic about unprotected oral sex cause oral cancer after this documentary. People sometimes miss the big picture in terms of common things being common."
-I wouldn't say a panic has arisen as a direct response to one documentary. This has been a cause for concern for many people (especially in the sex industry) for a long while. Another high profile case of HPV related throat cancer in recent times was that of Michael Douglas.
"The HPV vaccination programme in girls however, is primarily aimed at the prevention of cervical carcinoma and has no proven evidence as yet that it will impact on the incidence of the rarer oral cancers."
- So why are so many doctors in the U.S vaccinating their own sons with Gardasil? Why has there been such a push within the medical profession for gay men to also be given the vaccine due to high incidences of hpv related anal cancer within this community?
"You are however, completely right in your statement - "if you play with fire enough times, you will eventually get burned". However, you are involved in this industry as a provider as I am involved as a client. Any lifestyle brings its risks. I certainly believe in safe sex - primarily for the prevention of HIV & Hep B - which are far greater risks than oral cancers. Your fears are founded given the fact that the risk of acquiring any virus is proportional to the amount and frequency of exposure. However,it isn't possible to be in this industry and not have sex! The term safe sex is a misnomer - it should be correctly labelled 'safer sex' ie. safer but not without risks".
-Of course it is not possible to be in this industry and "not have sex". However, both client and provider have a responsibility to make the sex that takes place as safe as possible, and unprotected oral sex is NOT safe. End of story. You wouldn't place your penis uncovered into the vagina of somebody that was having unprotected penetrative sex with several different men per day, so why would you place it uncovered into the mouth of somebody that gives unprotected oral sex to several different men per day? It's a perverse logic. Virtually all S.T.I's that can be spread vaginally or anally can also be spread orally, and it staggers me how many men (especially those who are married or in L.T.R's) are quite happy to take that risk. The knock on effect of the increasing male demand for OWO and other unsafe services is that many women who wouldn't otherwise have offered that service are now feeling compelled to do so just to stay afloat. We are in a recession, and these days competition is fierce.They should not be put in a position where they feel they have to endanger their own health. In countries where prostitution is legal and regulated OWO is never allowed in the majority of reputable establishments.
"Overall the risks of smoking, alcohol and obesity with regards to cancer far outweigh any risk of oral sex causing cancer. As I said in my previous post , scientist will always overemphasize their personal findings.
Clearly you have to make up your mind and take whatever precautions you decide. As client, I have weighed up risk benefits and decided on what safety precautions I will take and what risks I am willing to take."
-Good for you, but you have a responsibility to ensure those "risks" don't endanger the health of any escort you visit or any of your future partners. Would you want to be responsible in a few years time for infecting a wife or girlfriend with hpv which led to her developing cervical carcinoma? This actually happened to somebody I know, and her husband had been her only sexual partner so was the only possible source of infection.
"The safest option is not to have sex at all. This is not an option I am willing to pursue."
-Nobody is asking you to. Just make sure that the sex you have is is safe as possible for all involved. It's called taking responsibilty. Remember that a great many women in this industry are extremely vulnerable, and haven't had the benefits of your obvious education.
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Originally Posted by Doozer
