The Rise of Throat Cancer: The Link to Oral Sex

Oropharyngeal cancer, a type of throat cancer, has become an epidemic in the West due to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), with oral sex being the main risk factor. While HPV vaccinations have the potential to protect against the virus, challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and low coverage in certain regions could undermine its effectiveness. Boys are now being included in national recommendations for HPV vaccination, but opposition to the vaccine and general vaccine hesitancy remain obstacles. The coronavirus pandemic has also brought challenges to reaching young people for vaccination.