Each year, about 18,000 Americans are diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, a type of throat cancer, and experts are increasingly linking it to oral sex. Oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the middle part of the throat, is now more prevalent among younger generations due to its connection to human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection.

Dr. Hisham Mehanna, a head, neck, and thyroid surgeon at the University of Birmingham in the UK, emphasized the role of HPV in oropharyngeal cancer in a recent article. “HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex,” wrote Dr. Mehanna.

He explained that individuals with six or more lifetime oral sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who don’t engage in oral sex.

Oropharyngeal cancer affects areas such as the soft palate, tonsils, and the back of the tongue. Common symptoms include a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, and unexplained weight loss. A lump in the throat, white patches in the mouth, or coughing up blood can also indicate this type of cancer.

Though treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are commonly used, cases linked to HPV have a better prognosis than those caused by smoking or heavy drinking. Approximately 70% of patients diagnosed with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer will survive five years or longer.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with over 42 million Americans carrying a strain of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that HPV causes around 13 million new infections annually.

While most people infected with HPV are able to clear the virus naturally, Dr. Mehanna explains that a small percentage of individuals cannot fully eliminate the infection. This can lead to the virus replicating and integrating into the host’s DNA, eventually causing cancer.

Vaccination is a key prevention strategy endorsed by health experts like Dr. Mehanna, who recommends vaccinating both boys and girls to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers. The CDC suggests starting the HPV vaccination series at ages 11 or 12, but shots can be administered as early as age 9. For individuals who missed the vaccine in their younger years, catch-up shots are recommended up to age 27.

Despite the vaccine’s effectiveness, it has faced some opposition due to concerns about safety, necessity, or even fears of promoting promiscuity. Dr. Mehanna acknowledges these concerns, noting, “Nothing is simple or straightforward when dealing with populations and behavior.”

Nevertheless, the New York Department of Health asserts that the HPV vaccine is a “safe and effective way to protect against the serious health problems that HPV can cause.” Currently, around 61% of teens in the U.S. are up to date with the vaccine series, though rates vary significantly by state, with Rhode Island reporting 85% coverage and Mississippi trailing at just 39%.

Understanding the link between oral sex and oropharyngeal cancer underscores the importance of HPV vaccination as a preventive measure. As Dr. Mehanna points out, “The main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex,” making vaccination a crucial tool in reducing cancer risk.