It never was tobacco. It was always booze.
A Common Virus Transmitted Through Oral Intimacy Is Driving a Rise in Throat Cancer.
Throat cancer is no longer linked only to smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Scientists have identified another major risk factor: human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly the HPV-16 strain.
This virus can spread through oral sexual contact and infect cells around the tonsils and base of the tongue. While most oral HPV infections disappear naturally within one or two years, some persist for decades. Over time, these persistent infections can damage normal cellular controls and potentially lead to cancer.
One concerning trend is the increasing number of HPV-related throat cancers among people who have never smoked. The good news is that HPV vaccination can help prevent infections caused by cancer-linked HPV types.
**The important takeaway:** HPV vaccination, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and discussing persistent throat symptoms with a healthcare professional can help reduce risks.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). *HPV and oropharyngeal cancer.*
National Cancer Institute. (2024). *HPV and cancer.*

ALT A Common Virus Transmitted Through Oral Intimacy Is Driving a Rise in Throat Cancer.
Throat cancer is no longer linked only to smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Scientists have identified another major risk factor: human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly the HPV-16 strain.
This virus can spread through oral sexual contact and infect cells around the tonsils and base of the tongue. While most oral HPV infections disappear naturally within one or two years, some persist for decades. Over time, these persistent infections can damage normal cellular controls and potentially lead to cancer.
One concerning trend is the increasing number of HPV-related throat cancers among people who have never smoked. The good news is that HPV vaccination can help prevent infections caused by cancer-linked HPV types.
**The important takeaway:** HPV vaccination, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and discussing persistent throat symptoms with a healthcare professional can help reduce risks.