The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer, especially in Western countries, has significantly increased over the past two decades, leading some to declare it an epidemic, primarily due to the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). While HPV is recognized as a leading cause of oropharyngeal and cervical cancers, vaccination efforts face challenges like vaccine hesitancy and low coverage, particularly in certain regions. Recent studies suggest that the majority of individuals can clear HPV infections, though some may not, allowing the virus to integrate into host DNA and potentially lead to cancer.
Traditional preventive measures focused on vaccinating young girls to combat cervical cancer, but there’s emerging evidence indicating that HPV vaccination may also provide protection against mouth infections and, consequently, oropharyngeal cancer in boys through herd immunity. Thus, countries like the UK, Australia, and the US have adopted gender-neutral vaccination policies. However, barriers remain, such as misinformation and rising vaccine hesitancy exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to educate and reach young populations, the full effectiveness of vaccination programs will depend on achieving high coverage rates across genders. The overall situation reflects the complexity of public health initiatives in addressing HPV-related cancers.
