Sadly the HPV linkage is not just for cervical cancers either. 70% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV-16 and HPV-18 and these are increasingly being shown to possible links with oral and pharyngeal cancers too. There is an argument that the current vaccine for HPV be extended to males. More work needs to be done but the research seems sounds enough along with the figures.

And lest we forget... one does not have to be promiscuous to get HIV or HPV. You only need one exposure ultimately. Whilst the chances of contracting such disease increases with promiscuity and un-safe sex, that does not mean a one off exposure will not occur.

I suspect less judgements and a more humane approach to caring for anyone with any disease should be the way forward. We are all, potentially, only one love affair away from such diseases. Anything that encourages a stable, monogamous relationship, for any gender, has to be on the right lines. I know I have made mistakes in the past that could have been disasterous. Given the incubation of some of these disaeses, they could still be disasterous. But for the grace of God...

I certainly have no wish to cast any stones...

mp