More than 10 sexual partners increase the risk of cancer

Who had ten or more sexual partners, may carry a higher risk for cancer, according to a study in the journal "BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health". In women, the number of sexual partners was also associated with the Occurrence of chronic diseases.

In a survey of 5.722 persons aged 50 years, the question of the number of their sex was answered by partners: Approximately 28.5 percent of the men reported to have 0 to 1 sexual partner had. 29 percent reported 2 to 4, 20 percent 5 to 9 and 22 percent ten or more. Of the women, 41 percent in the course of their lives, had no or only one sexual partner, 35.5 percent, 2 to 4, 16% 5 to 9 and almost 8 percent of ten or more. The respondents had an average age of 64 years, 75 percent were married.

Women stäamplifier gefährdet as Mämen

Compared to women who had 0 to 1 sexual partner, was diagnosed with ten or more, with a 91 percent higher probability of cancer. Men with ten or more sexual partners had a 69 percent higher probability of a cancer diagnosis. Although the nature of the cancer was unknown, speculate the authors, that it is forms that are associated with sexually transmitted infections, such as with the human Papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer, or Hepatitis, a risk factor for liver cancer. Among women with more than five sexual partners, a chronic disease was also 64 percent more likely, what was not observed in men.

In both sexes, younger Respondents, Singles and persons with a very high or low income tended to have a higher number of sexual partners. They smoked and drank frequently, which are also risk factors for the development of cancer.

ZOU