Doctors had never suspected a link between the act of
fellatio and breast cancer, but new research being performed is starting
to suggest that there could be an important link between the two.
In a study of over 15,000 women suspected of having
performed regular fellatio over the past ten years, the researchers
found that those actually having performed the act regularly, one to two
times a week, had a lower occurance of breast cancer than those who had
not. There was no increased risk, however, for those who did not
regularly perform.
"I think it removes the last shade of doubt that
fellatio is actually a healthy act," said Dr. B.J. Sooner of the
Hopkins School of Medicine, who was not involved in the research.
"I am surprised by these findings, but am also excited that the
researchers may have discovered a relatively easy way to lower the
occurance of breast cancer in women."
The University researchers stressed that, though
breast cancer is relatively uncommon, any steps taken to reduce the risk
would be a wise decision.
"Only with regular performance will your chances
be reduced, so I encourage all women out there to make fellatio an
important part of their daily routine," said Dr. Inserta Shafteer,
one of the researchers. "Since the emergence of the research, I try
to fellate at least once every other night to reduce my chances."
The study is reported in Friday's Journal of Medical
Research.
In 1991, 43,582 women died of breast cancer, as
reported by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Len Lictepeen, deputy chief medical officer for
the American Cancer Group, said women should not overlook or "play
down" these findings.
"This will hopefully change women's practice and
patterns, resulting in a severe drop in the future number of
cases," Lictepeen said.
Sooner said the research shows no increase in the risk
of breast cancer in those who are, for whatever reason, not able to
fellate regularly.
"There's definitely fertile ground for more
research. Many have stepped forward to volunteer for related research
now in the planning stages," he said.
Almost every woman is, at some point, going to perform
the act of fellatio, but it is the frequency at which this event occurs
that makes the difference, say researchers.
The reasearch consisted of two groups, 6,246 women
ages 25 to 45 who had performed fellatio on a regular basis over the
past five to ten years, and 9,728 women who had not. The group of women
who had performed fellatio had a breast cancer rate of 1.9 percent and
the group who had not had a breast cancer rate of 10.4 percent.
"The findings do suggest that there are other
causes for breast cancer besides the absence of regular fellatio,"
Shafteer said. "It's a cause, not THE cause."
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