Over the past 20 years, there has been a rise in throat cancer cases in the United States and the United Kingdom. Many health experts are blaming this on a sexually transmitted disease called human papillomavirus (HPV). Specifically, the type of throat cancer being dubbed an “epidemic” is called oropharyngeal cancer. This affects the area of the tonsils and the back of the throat.
Like cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer is caused by HPV. Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Over 42 million Americans are infected with a type of human papillomavirus — there are over 100 different kinds. However, not all of them cause health problems. This means that people could be walking around with a type of HPV and not realize it.
Statistics for Throat Cancer Caused by HPV
About 70% of throat cancer is caused by HPV, according to Dr. Hisham Mehanna, from the UK’s University of Birmingham. Furthermore, those who have multiple oral sex partners are nine times more likely to get throat cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend children should receive their first HPV vaccine before the age of 15. They will need one more dose after that. Those who receive the first dose on or after their 15th birthday will need a total of three doses. The vaccine doses are most effective when it is given before a person is exposed to HPV.
However, only 54% of all Americans receive the HPV vaccine. This is way below the 80% figure believed to keep the population safe.
Does Not Discriminate
Unlike humans, diseases, viruses, and other ailments don’t discriminate. However, it should be noted there are some things that one sex can get that the other cannot.
For example, HPV and oropharyngeal cancer can be contracted by any sex or pronoun. Furthermore, the rise in throat cancer has risen by about 1% in women and roughly 3% in men.
Roughly 54,540 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer have been diagnosed in the U.S. as of 2023. Additionally, there have been about 11,580 deaths reported from these causes, according to the American Cancer Society.
Furthermore, the average age of those diagnosed with these cancers is 65. However, over 20% (1 in 5) of these cases have occurred in those younger than 55. Additionally, oral cavity and throat cancer are slightly more common in white people than in Black individuals.
Play it Safe
It is always better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, people should practice safe sexual practices — use contraceptives like condoms — and be conscious of how many partners one has. If multiple partners are a person’s forte, then make sure to test for diseases often. Doing so could possibly save a life.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
American Cancer Society: Key Statistics for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers
Daily Mail: Oral sex is fueling an ‘epidemic’ of throat cancers in the US and UK, doctor claims
Science Alert: Throat Cancer Is Becoming an Epidemic, And Our Sex Lives Could Be Behind It
CDC: HPV Infection
FDA: HPV (human papillomavirus)
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