Throat Cancer is Rising Among Young People. Here’s Why Oral Sex Might Be the Culprit.

Doctors are sounding the alarm on something that might not be on your radar, but definitely should be; throat cancer. Yes, you heard that right. This isn't a disease we usually associate with younger people, but recent trends are proving that it's a growing issue, especially for people just like you. Here's the thing: HPV, a virus spread through oral sex, is driving a significant rise in throat cancer cases and it's happening faster than you might think.

Doctors and researchers have noticed that the number of people diagnosed with head and neck cancers, including throat cancer have been increasing, and especially since the COVID pandemic hit; with nearly a 50% increase in cases since 2013. Data from Cancer Research UK shows that head and neck cancer rates have surged by over a third since the early 90s, with women aged 25 to 49 experiencing a 60% increase from 1993 to 2019, and men seeing a 34% rise. And the main reason for this surge? HPV, the same virus linked to cervical cancer in women, but now causing a huge spike in throat cancer, especially among younger people.

The main causes of these cancers include smoking, alcohol, and the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) and the University of Sheffield analysed data, noting that head and neck cancer diagnoses in England rose from 10,735 cases in 2019 to 12,400 cases by 2021. Deaths increased from 3,213 to 3,469 in the same period.

What Does HPV Have to Do with It?

While most strains of HPV are harmless and don't cause any issues, some high-risk types, especially those passed through oral sex, are responsible for 70% of throat cancer cases. In fact, if you have multiple oral sex partners, your risk of getting HPV-related throat cancer goes up significantly. Dr. Hisham Mehanna, an expert from the University of Birmingham, calls it an “epidemic” among younger people. And while HPV is so common that about 80% of people will get infected with it at some point in their life, the strains that cause cancer can live in your throat for years before causing any symptoms. So, this is an issue that might not show up until later and by then, it could be serious.

So, what's the solution?

Get vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine is proven to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers by over 80%. It's offered to kids when they're 11 or 12 years old, but it’s not just for the little ones. If you’re a teenager or young adult, it’s still worth considering. The problem, though? Not enough people are getting vaccinated. In 2021/22, only 67.2% of girls and 62.4% of boys in the UK were fully vaccinated. Those numbers need to go up if we want to stop this epidemic in its tracks.

Experts like Professor Ali Khurram from the University of Sheffield are pushing for greater awareness about how important this vaccine is especially when it comes to protecting you from head and neck cancer later in life.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
Okay, so what now? We’ve got to raise our awareness and take action. Yes, HPV-related cancers are on the rise, but there’s a lot we can do to prevent them from affecting us.

First and foremost, get vaccinated. If you're eligible and haven't gotten your shot yet, it's time to schedule that appointment.

Second, while oral sex is one of the biggest ways HPV spreads, that doesn’t mean it’s a free pass to engage in risky behavior. Being selective about your sexual partners and practicing safe sex can go a long way in lowering your chances of getting HPV in the first place.

And hey, we’ve got to face facts: if you’re already engaging in high-risk behaviors, it’s important to stay on top of your health. Regular check-ups and early detection are key—especially since throat cancer is treatable if caught early.

Bottom Line: This Is Serious, But We Can Fight Back
The rise in throat cancer caused by HPV is a wake-up call for everyone, but especially for younger people who might not even realize that oral sex can have such serious consequences. HPV is more than just a “harmless” virus—it’s a major cause of cancer, and it’s on the rise.

But here’s the thing: we can do something about it. By making sure we’re vaccinated, spreading the word, and taking care of our health, we can fight back against this growing epidemic.

The message is clear: take action now. Don’t wait for things to get worse. The fight against HPV-related throat cancer is something we can win—but only if we act together, raise awareness, and protect ourselves and future generations from this serious risk.