Why are more older men getting throat cancer?

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Dustin Silverman was featured in an AARP article discussing the rise of throat cancer rates among men 50 years of age and older.

The increase has mainly been linked to the rise in cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating HPV is now identified as a probable cause for up to 70 percent of all oropharyngeal cancers in the United States.

One reason for the trend of older men being diagnosed with throat cancer may be that HPV was dormant in their bodies for decades, before there was a safe and reliable HPV vaccination.

Silverman noted HPV's link to cervical cancer is more well known and accepted, but there is a need to reduce stigma of HPV vaccination among men.

"While HPV vaccination is known to be highly effective in preventing cervical cancer, decreased awareness and stigma surrounding HPV vaccination for men and young adolescents remain a central barrier and explain the increasing rates that we are seeing among this population,” said Dustin Silverman, MD, assistant professor in UC's College of Medicine and a head and neck surgical oncologist at the Cancer Center.

Important symptoms of throat cancer to look for, Silverman said, include persistent and long-lasting difficulty swallowing, sore throat, hoarseness or voice changes, ear pain or unexplained weight loss. Anyone noticing these symptoms should talk to their doctor right away.

“Prevention plays a fundamental role in lowering the risk of HPV-related throat cancer,” Silverman added. “Routine medical and dental visits and screenings are important to identify cancer in its early stages. In addition to smoking, tobacco and alcohol avoidance, practicing safe sex and limiting the number of sexual partners may also reduce the risk of HPV transmission and development of cancer.”

Read the AARP article.

Featured photo at top of HPV test form. Photo/iStock/Sefa Ozel.