Oral Sex Is Spreading More Than Pleasure — It’s Fueling a Cancer Surge

Once viewed as one of the “safer” forms of sexual activity, oral sex is now under intense scientific scrutiny for fueling a surge in throat cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In Texas, where vaccination rates lag behind national averages, the impact is particularly alarming.

Texas at the Center of a Growing Epidemic

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, nearly 20,000 HPV-associated cancers were diagnosed in the state between 2018 and 2022, with oropharyngeal cancer emerging as the most common among men. The disease affects the tonsils, tongue base, and throat—and it’s overwhelmingly linked to oral transmission of HPV-16, a high-risk viral strain also responsible for cervical cancers.

Specialists in Austin report that HPV-driven throat cancer has risen by more than 225% in recent years, outpacing national growth and surpassing cervical cancer as the dominant HPV-related malignancy in men. These cancers are increasingly affecting younger, non-smoking men—a demographic once considered low-risk.

The Texas Vaccination Gap

While prevention is possible, Texas remains one of the lowest-ranking states in HPV vaccination completion. Data published in JAMA Network Open found that Texas ranks 48th nationwide in completing the HPV vaccine series, with only 16–17% of adolescents fully protected as of 2022. Counties in North Texas report the highest cancer rates alongside the lowest vaccination uptake, a combination experts attribute partly to misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiment.

Changing Faces of Throat Cancer

Unlike traditional throat cancers linked to tobacco and alcohol, HPV-related oropharyngeal tumor cases often appear in otherwise healthy middle-aged adults. Dr. Baran Sumer of UT Southwestern Medical Center explains that these patients often have “no smoking or drinking history” — the virus itself is the culprit.​

HPV types 16 and 18 remain the most aggressive, capable of lingering in the throat tissue for years before mutating normal cells into tumors. Men in particular face higher risk: the immunological clearance rate for HPV is slower, allowing infections to persist and increase cancer odds.

Preventing a Preventable Cancer

The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers, including throat, anal, and cervical cancers. Yet public health leaders warn that adult vaccination rates remain far below the threshold needed to halt transmission. Physicians are calling for stronger awareness campaigns aimed at parents of preteens—especially in underserved Texas regions where education and access remain limited.

The Bottom Line

Oral sex may be common, but the misconceptions around its safety are costing lives. The data from Texas paints a clear picture: as vaccination lags, cancer cases rise. Experts agree that turning the tide will require confronting stigma, expanding education, and recognizing that protecting against HPV is not about morality—it’s about survival.