Only one-third of Americans know that human papillomavirus (HPV)—a common sexually transmitted infection—is linked to throat cancer, according to a new study.1
Throat (oropharyngeal) cancer leads to more than 20,000 new cases a year in the United States. It is one of the most common HPV-related cancers, with 70% of cases estimated to be caused by HPV.2
HPV can be transmitted through oral sex, and individuals can acquire a new infection with each new sexual partner. While HPV often clears on its own, persistent infections can lead to cancer over time, highlighting the importance of vaccination.