HPV Increasingly Linked to Throat Cancer as Smoking Declines Globally

Throat cancer causes are shifting globally, with human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus, increasingly linked to oropharyngeal cancers affecting the tonsils and tongue base. In Western countries like the US and UK, HPV has surpassed smoking as the leading cause. In India, tobacco remains the primary risk factor, though HPV-related cases are rising, especially among non-smokers and younger men. Experts highlight the importance of HPV vaccination, safe sexual practices, and early detection to address this evolving health concern.