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

Most people don’t think about HPV until they hear it’s linked to cancer. But here’s the truth: HPV is one of the most common viruses on the planet. Nearly everyone who’s sexually active will get it at some point. The good news? Most of the time, your body clears it on its own. The bad news? When it sticks around, it can cause cancer - especially in the throat, anus, and cervix. And while cervical cancer rates have dropped thanks to screening, throat and anal cancers are rising - especially in men.

What HPV Cancers Are Actually Happening

HPV doesn’t just cause cervical cancer. It’s behind 91% of all anal cancers, 70% of throat cancers, and a big chunk of vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers too. In the U.S., about 48,000 new HPV-related cancer cases show up every year. That’s more than 130 new cases every single day.

Throat cancer - specifically oropharyngeal cancer - is now the most common HPV-linked cancer in men. About 15,200 cases a year are tied to HPV. That’s more than twice the number of cervical cancers diagnosed in women each year. And it’s not just older men. Many cases show up in people in their 40s and 50s. These cancers often start with a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, or a voice that doesn’t go back to normal after a cold.

Anal cancer is less common, but it’s growing fast. About 4,300 cases happen each year, and 91% are HPV-driven. It’s more common in men who have sex with men, people with weakened immune systems, and those with a history of anal warts. Symptoms? Bleeding, pain, itching, or a lump near the anus. People often ignore these signs, thinking it’s hemorrhoids. But if it doesn’t go away in a few weeks, get it checked.

Why Are These Cancers Rising?

It’s not random. The rise in throat and anal cancers is tied to how HPV spreads - and how little we’ve done about it. HPV is passed through skin-to-skin contact during sex. Oral sex is a major route for throat cancers. Anal sex is the main way anal cancers spread. But unlike cervical cancer, there’s no routine screening for throat or anal cancers. No Pap test. No easy way to catch it early.

That means prevention is everything. And prevention starts with vaccination. The HPV vaccine - Gardasil 9 - protects against nine types of HPV, including the two most dangerous: HPV 16 and 18. Together, these two cause 70% of cervical cancers and 85% of throat cancers. Gardasil 9 prevents about 90% of all HPV-related cancers.

But here’s the problem: vaccination rates are still too low. Only 65% of teens in the U.S. have finished the full HPV vaccine series. That’s better than a few years ago, but it’s not enough. Experts say we need 80% coverage to stop most of these cancers. Right now, we’re falling short - especially for boys. Many parents still think HPV is only a “girl’s problem.” It’s not. Boys get throat and anal cancers too. And they pass the virus to partners.

How Vaccination Works - And Why Timing Matters

The HPV vaccine works best when given before anyone becomes sexually active. That’s why the CDC recommends it for kids at age 11 or 12. At that age, the immune system responds stronger, and two doses are enough. If you start after age 15, you need three doses.

But it’s not too late if you’re older. The vaccine is approved up to age 26 for everyone. For adults 27 to 45, it’s a shared decision with your doctor. If you’ve never been vaccinated and you’re in that age group, talk to your provider. You might still benefit - especially if you haven’t been exposed to many HPV types.

Real-world data backs this up. In Australia, where vaccination started early and widely, HPV infections in young women dropped by 80% in just 10 years. Cervical precancers fell by 85%. Throat cancer rates are expected to drop next - but only if boys are vaccinated too.

Some people worry the vaccine causes side effects. The truth? The most common side effect is a sore arm. Serious reactions are extremely rare - rarer than being struck by lightning. The vaccine has been given to over 300 million people worldwide. No long-term safety issues have ever been found.

Screening: What Works and What Doesn’t

For cervical cancer, we have tools. Women between 25 and 65 should get a primary HPV test every five years. If that’s not available, a Pap test every three years works too. Co-testing (HPV + Pap) every five years is also fine. These tests catch changes before they turn into cancer. That’s why cervical cancer rates have dropped 50% in the last 30 years.

But for throat and anal cancers? There’s no approved screening test. No routine swab. No blood test. No imaging that catches early signs. That’s why vaccination is your only real shield. Some clinics 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 it’s not perfect.

That’s why skipping the vaccine is like playing Russian roulette with your health. You can’t screen for something if you don’t know how to detect it. But you can stop the virus from ever getting in.

The Human Cost of Waiting

People who get HPV-related cancers often face brutal treatments. Throat cancer patients get radiation and chemo - sometimes both. Many lose their ability to swallow normally. Some need feeding tubes for months. Voice changes are permanent. One man in Seattle told me his voice is now a whisper. He’s 48. He got vaccinated at 16. His brother, who didn’t, got throat cancer at 42. He’s still on a feeding tube.

Anal cancer treatment is just as tough. Surgery can mean a permanent colostomy. Radiation causes chronic pain and bowel issues. The average cost for treating throat cancer? Nearly $200,000. Even with insurance, many patients face $50,000 or more in out-of-pocket costs. Lost wages. Missed work. Emotional trauma. The stigma is real. People think, “I got this because I was careless.” But HPV is so common, 80% of adults have had it by 45. Most never knew.

What Can You Do Right Now?

Here’s your action plan:

1. If you’re under 26 - get the HPV vaccine. Two doses if you started before 15. Three if you started later.
2. If you’re 27 to 45 - talk to your doctor. Ask if the vaccine could still help you.
3. If you’re a parent - vaccinate your kids at 11 or 12. Don’t wait. Don’t wait for “the right time.” There isn’t one.
4. If you’re a woman - get your HPV test every five years. Don’t skip it because you feel fine.
5. If you notice a lump, persistent sore throat, or anal bleeding - see a doctor. Don’t assume it’s nothing.

Some clinics offer free or low-cost vaccines. Check with your local health department. Many schools now offer the vaccine too. You don’t need a prescription. You don’t need a referral. Just show up.

The Bigger Picture

HPV-related cancers are preventable. Not just treatable. Preventable. We have the tool. We’ve had it for over a decade. The only thing missing is the will - from parents, from providers, from policymakers.

When we vaccinate kids, we’re not just protecting them. We’re protecting their future partners. Their children. Their grandchildren. One shot can stop a chain of cancer that could last generations.

Throat cancer isn’t just “smoking and drinking.” Anal cancer isn’t just “risky behavior.” HPV is a silent, common virus - and we’re the first generation with the power to make it vanish.

It’s not about fear. It’s about facts. And the facts say: vaccinate. Screen. Speak up.

Because the next time someone says, “I didn’t know this could happen,” you’ll know better.