HPV drives rise in head and neck cancers

Head and neck cancers are rising worldwide, even as smoking and alcohol use decline in some countries.

These cancers affect the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, and salivary glands.

In the United States, oral cavity and throat cancer cases increased from 10 per 100,000 people in 2007 to 11.6 in 2023, adding up to nearly 60,000 new diagnoses each year.

Doctors say tobacco and heavy alcohol use remain major causes. People who smoke, use smokeless tobacco, or drink heavily face a much higher cancer risk.

In South and Southeast Asia, chewing areca nut, also called betel quid, contributes to many cases.

Experts now identify sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, or HPV, as the leading driver behind the recent rise in throat cancers. HPV-linked cancers often affect younger adults who may not smoke heavily.

Health experts recommend HPV vaccination, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol intake to lower cancer risk. Studies show quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use can sharply cut long-term risk.

Improved surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy treatments have also raised five-year survival rates for head and neck cancers to nearly 70%.