HPV-Related Cancers: Throat, Anal, and How to Prevent Them

Most people don’t realize that a common virus can cause cancer. But HPV-human papillomavirus-is responsible for more than 37,000 cancer cases in the U.S. every year. And it’s not just cervical cancer anymore. Throat cancer and anal cancer are rising fast, especially in men. The good news? We have the tools to stop it. Vaccines work. Screening saves lives. But too many people still don’t know how or when to use them.

What HPV-Related Cancers Actually Look Like

HPV doesn’t just cause warts. Certain high-risk types, especially HPV 16 and 18, can sneak into cells and change how they grow. Over time, that leads to cancer. The most common HPV-linked cancers are cervical, throat (oropharyngeal), anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile. But the landscape is shifting.

Throat cancer linked to HPV is now the most common type in men. About 70% of all throat cancers in the U.S. are caused by HPV. That’s 15,200 cases a year. And it’s not just older adults. Many patients are in their 40s and 50s-healthy, non-smokers, with no history of heavy drinking. They get diagnosed because they have a lump in their neck, trouble swallowing, or a voice that won’t go back to normal.

Anal cancer is also climbing. About 91% of cases are tied to HPV. It’s more common in people with weakened immune systems, but it’s also rising in the general population. Men who have sex with men, people with multiple sexual partners, and those with a history of genital warts are at higher risk. But it can happen to anyone.

Women still face the biggest burden from cervical cancer, but thanks to Pap tests and HPV screening, those numbers are dropping. Meanwhile, throat and anal cancers are going up-because we don’t screen for them the same way. That’s why prevention matters more than ever.

Why HPV Vaccination Is the Most Powerful Tool We Have

The HPV vaccine isn’t just for girls. It’s for everyone. Gardasil-9 protects against nine types of HPV, including the two that cause 70% of cervical cancers and 85% of HPV-related throat cancers. It also prevents anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers.

The CDC recommends the vaccine at age 11 or 12. That’s because it works best before any exposure to the virus. But it’s not too late for older teens and young adults. The vaccine is approved up to age 26. For adults 27 to 45, it’s a conversation with your doctor. If you’ve never been vaccinated and you’re still sexually active, it can still help.

Here’s the hard truth: only 65% of U.S. teens have completed the full HPV vaccine series. That’s not enough. Experts say we need 80% coverage to prevent 21,000 cancers every year. In places like Rhode Island, school-based vaccination programs pushed rates from 53% to 84%-and saw a 22% drop in pre-cancerous cervical changes in just six years.

Some parents worry about safety. But over 135 million doses have been given in the U.S. since 2006. No serious side effects have been linked to the vaccine. The most common reaction? A sore arm. It’s safer than getting cancer.

And it’s not just about protecting your child. It’s about protecting future partners. HPV spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact during sex. One person vaccinated can break the chain of transmission.

Why Screening Doesn’t Work for Throat and Anal Cancers

There’s no routine screening test for throat cancer. No Pap smear for the back of the throat. No annual checkup that catches early HPV-related tumors there. That’s why vaccination is the only real shield.

For anal cancer, there’s no official screening for the general public. Some doctors may offer anal Pap tests for high-risk groups-like men who have sex with men or people with HIV-but it’s not standard. And even if you get tested, it’s not as reliable as cervical screening.

Meanwhile, cervical cancer screening works. Women between 25 and 65 should get a primary HPV test every five years. Or a Pap test every three years. Or both together every five years. These tests find abnormal cells before they turn into cancer. That’s why cervical cancer rates have dropped by 50% in the last 30 years.

But here’s the problem: only 60% of women get screened regularly. And many don’t know why. Some think they’re safe if they’ve had the vaccine. But the vaccine doesn’t protect against all cancer-causing HPV types. Screening still matters.

And new tools are coming. Self-sampling HPV tests-where you collect your own sample at home-have boosted screening rates by 24% in some studies. That’s huge for people who avoid doctors because of embarrassment, cost, or access.

The Real Cost of Waiting

HPV-related cancers don’t just kill. They change lives.

One man in his 40s, diagnosed with throat cancer, needed a feeding tube for six months. His voice never fully came back. His insurance covered most of it-but he still paid $127,000 out of pocket.

On average, treating throat cancer costs nearly $200,000. Anal cancer runs about $135,000. Cervical cancer is $142,000. That’s not just medical bills. It’s lost wages, time away from kids, anxiety, depression, and shame.

And stigma is real. Many people feel blamed for getting cancer from a virus that 80% of sexually active people will get at some point. But HPV isn’t a moral failure. It’s a biological accident. Most people clear it on their own. But when it sticks around, it can turn dangerous.

Young women who survive cervical cancer often face fertility issues. One in four can’t have children after treatment. Sexual health problems are common too. These aren’t side effects. They’re consequences of late prevention.

What You Can Do Right Now

1. Get vaccinated if you’re under 26. Even if you’ve had HPV before, the vaccine can protect you from other strains.

2. Ask your doctor about the vaccine if you’re 27-45. It’s not a waste of time. Talk about your risk, your history, and whether it makes sense for you.

3. Women: Get screened. Don’t skip your HPV or Pap test. Even if you’re vaccinated.

4. Talk to your kids. Not about sex. About health. Tell them the vaccine is like getting a tetanus shot-it’s not about behavior. It’s about protection.

5. Don’t wait for symptoms. Throat cancer doesn’t always hurt. Anal cancer can be silent. If you have a lump, trouble swallowing, bleeding, or pain that won’t go away, see a doctor. Early detection saves lives.

What’s Changing in 2025

The WHO wants to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Their plan: 90% of girls vaccinated by 15, 70% of women screened by 35 and 45, and 90% of pre-cancers treated. That’s ambitious. But it’s possible.

In the U.S., 48 states now require HPV vaccination for school entry. More doctors are pushing the vaccine. More insurance plans cover it without copays. And new research is testing therapeutic vaccines that could treat existing HPV infections-maybe even reverse early cancer changes.

But progress is uneven. During the pandemic, HPV vaccination rates dropped 11%. That means a whole generation of teens missed their chance. Now, we’re seeing the first wave of those young adults hitting their 20s and 30s-without protection.

If we don’t fix this, by 2035, throat cancer will be the most common HPV-related cancer overall. Not cervical. Not anal. Throat. And it will be preventable.

Prevention isn’t optional. It’s urgent. And it’s simple. Vaccinate early. Screen when you can. Talk openly. The tools are here. We just need to use them.