Men in their 40s and 50s face risk of throat cancer: Is oral sex replacing smoking?

For decades, throat cancer in India was closely associated with smoking and chewing tobacco. These habits were the country's leading risk factors. However, doctors are now observing a shift, with a growing wave of cases related to the human papillomavirus (HPV).

For decades, throat cancer in India was closely associated with smoking and chewing tobacco. These habits were the country’s leading risk factors. However, doctors are now observing a shift, with a growing wave of cases related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). This common sexually transmitted virus has triggered fresh concerns about sexual health and vaccination.

While smoking remains the primary cause of throat cancer in India, HPV transmitted through oral sex has surpassed tobacco as the leading cause in the United States and the UK, according to reports. While most HPV infections resolve on their own, some strains, namely HPV-16 and HPV-18, may still remain in the body and cause cancer. These high-risk strains are best known for causing cervical cancer. However, they are also associated to oropharyngeal cancers, which impact the tonsils and tongue base.

According to doctors, HPV, which is commonly transmitted through oral sex, allows the virus to infect the throat tissues. In several Western countries, it has already overtaken smoking as the primary cause of oropharyngeal cancers, India Today reported.