The number of men with oral cancer is significantly higher than that of women, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. For this purpose, the data of more than 5,500 men and women in the USA were analyzed. The volunteers were asked a series of questions related to the frequency of their sexual contacts and the number of intimate partners they had. After completing the survey, volunteers were given a chemical substance to gargle with for 30 seconds. The secretion after rinsing the oral cavity was analyzed for the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV). About 10 percent of men aged 14 to 69 had oral HPV infection, compared with 3.6 percent of women, the study found. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and incurable. Infection with types 16, 18, 45, 31 and 33 are the most common cause of cervical cancer in women. HPV infections can cause oropharyngeal cancer or cancer of the tongue, tonsils, or back of the mouth. Those infected with the HPV 16 strain had a 14 percent greater risk of developing some of these tumors, the researchers said. NEWS_MORE_BOX HPV infections of the mouth and throat are mainly sexually transmitted, says Dr Maura Gillison. There is evidence that the virus can also be transmitted through a “deep kiss.” The study is the first step toward developing a strategy to prevent oropharyngeal cancer, Dr. Gillison said. Researchers believe that oropharyngeal cancer may surpass cervical cancer in frequency. .