Source: American Association for Cancer Research
Head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas of the mouth, nose, throat, and salivary glands, account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 2024, an estimated 71,110 cases of oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers were diagnosed, with 16,110 deaths. These cancers are more common in men, individuals over 50, and Asian populations. Risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, betel quid, wood dust, radiation, and viruses like human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr.
HPV: A Rising Cause of Head and Neck Cancer
Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma—cancers in the back of the tongue and throat—has surged among young adults without traditional risk factors like smoking or drinking. HPV-related head and neck cancer diagnoses have risen 225% since the 1980s, and in 2018, throat cancer surpassed cervical cancer as the most common HPV-related cancer in the U.S.
Vaccination is Key
The best way to prevent HPV-related cancers is vaccination, ideally at ages 11-13 for both boys and girls. The HPV vaccine is also approved for adults up to 45 years old. However, vaccination rates remain low—by age 17, about 23% of U.S. adolescents are unvaccinated. Among adults 18-26, 63% of men and 43% of women have never received the vaccine, and among adults 27-45, a staggering 85% remain unprotected.
Take Action: Improve HPV Vaccination Rates in Your Practice
Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to enhance prevention efforts. The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians’ free Easy PI: HPV Vaccination track provides resources and tools to create a self-guided performance improvement (PI) project to help boost HPV vaccination rates. Completing a PI project fulfills an ABFM certification requirement and earns 20 ABFM points and 20 AAFP Prescribed CME credits.
This spotlight is proudly supported by our Partner in Health, Merck. However, some content and data come from independent sources.