Kissing has overtaken smoking and drinking as the leading cause of head and neck cancers

The legendary French kiss can pass on human papilloma virus (HPV), and Head of Maxillofacial and Head and neck Surgery at the Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Mahiban Thomas, said the virus was responsible for 70% of head
and neck cancer cases. Dr Thomas said if you became infected by HPV in the oropharynx, your risk of developing head and neck cancer was 250 times higher than that of someone without the virus.

While most commonly associated with cervical cancers, HPV can affect both men and women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said studies suggest Oral HPV could be passed on during oral sex or open-mouthed or ‘French’ kissing, but only 1% of people have the type of oral HPV that is found in oropharyngeal cancers. .

Dr Thomas said recent studies suggested even engaging in ‘petting’ without sexual interaction could transfer HPV. He said your risk of contracting the HPV virus increased with the number of French kissing partners you had, and people underrated the risks associated with oral sex….. relationships can still survive wtout kissing bt no relationship on earth can survive for a week witout oral sex…….