Expert reveals why HPV-related throat cancer is rising among men due to oral sex
HPV has long been dismissed as a women’s health issue, tied mainly to cervical cancer. Yet experts now warn that men are bearing a disproportionate burden of HPV-related throat and mouth cancers, often without realizing they were ever infected. Many strains of HPV clear naturally, but a small group can linger quietly for years, damaging cells until cancer finally appears at the back of the throat. By the time symptoms like persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, or unexplained weight loss show up, the disease can already be advanced.
Researchers point to a mix of factors: sexual behavior, historically higher rates of smoking and alcohol use in men, and lower uptake of vaccination. The tragedy, they stress, is that much of this is preventable. HPV vaccines, given before sexual activity begins, dramatically cut risk. Quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, and seeking medical advice for persistent symptoms can turn a silent threat into a survivable one.