Many Lack Knowledge of Link Between HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2024 -- Knowledge of the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is poor and did not improve from 2018 to 2020, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Oluwatobiloba O. Ayo-Ajibola, from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and colleagues queried the Health Information National Trends Survey, including 3,504 adults in 2018 and 3,865 in 2020, for knowledge of HPV, its vaccine, and its association with OPSCC, focusing on adults aged 27 to 45 years.
The researchers found that in 2018 and 2020, most respondents were aware of HPV (60.8 and 64.8 percent, respectively) and its vaccine (60.8 and 61.6 percent, respectively). Between 2018 and 2020, there was a significant decrease seen in awareness of the association between HPV and cervical cancer (75.0 to 70.2 percent). Knowledge of the association between HPV and OPSCC was poor, with no change over time (27.0 and 29.5 percent in 2018 and 2020, respectively). Individuals who reported completing high school as their highest level of education, Caucasians, men, and those making more than $200,000 annually had a significant increase in HPV awareness between 2018 and 2020.
"Low awareness of HPV‐associated oral cancer, notably among newly eligible patients, may impede prevention in the form of HPV vaccination," the authors write. "There are ample opportunities for otolaryngologists, primary care physicians, and public health initiatives to promote clear and accessible information on HPV‐associated cancer risks and increase vaccination rates."
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Read this next
Circulating Tumor HPV DNA Can ID HPV+OPSCC Years Before Diagnosis
MONDAY, Sept. 22, 2025 -- Circulating tumor human papillomavirus DNA (ctHPVDNA) can be detected in the blood years prior to HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma...
Nonadherence to Cervical Cancer Screening Increased After COVID-19 Pandemic
THURSDAY, Sept. 18, 2025 -- Nonadherence to cervical cancer screening in the United States increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Sept. 10...
Deescalated Radiotherapy Tolerated After Surgery for HPV-Linked Oropharyngeal Cancer
THURSDAY, Sept. 11, 2025 -- For patients following surgery for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a deescalated regimen of adjuvant...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.