Health experts report tripling cases of throat cancer linked to HPV over 20 years

Health experts report a significant rise in throat cancers linked to HPV, with cases tripling over the past 20 years. The increase is attributed to changing sexual behaviors, particularly the rise in oral sex, which spreads the virus. The HPV vaccine rollout, initiated in 2007 for girls and 2013 for boys, is expected to reduce future cases. However, benefits may take 20 to 30 years to manifest, as the average diagnosis age is around 61. Symptoms of throat cancer include persistent sore throat, lumps in the neck, and hoarseness. Early detection improves treatment outcomes, with surgery being more effective than radiation for early-stage cancers.