Which factor has significantly contributed to an increase in oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S.?

The significant increase in oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. can be primarily attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV). Research has shown that certain strains of HPV, particularly HPV type 16, are strongly linked to the development of oropharyngeal cancers. This connection has become increasingly recognized, especially as the incidence of these cancers has risen among populations that are less affected by traditional risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use.

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, and its role in the rise of oropharyngeal cancers reflects changing sexual behaviors and patterns of HPV infection over the years. The increase in oral sexual practices, along with a lack of widespread vaccination against HPV in the past, has contributed significantly to the growing number of cases.

In contrast, while factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and smokeless tobacco are known risk factors for various types of cancers, they do not fully account for the recent spike in oropharyngeal cancer cases as effectively as HPV does. These traditional factors impact cancer rates differently and are not the primary drivers of the specific increase observed in oropharyngeal cancers linked to HPV.