Most of us never think twice about how everyday choices might affect our long-term health. But doctors are now raising new concerns about a quiet rise in throat cancers linked to a common infection. Their message is simple and meant to help families stay informed.

Oncologists say cases of oropharyngeal cancer have been climbing since the mid-2000s. The main cause is HPV, a virus often associated with cervical cancer but increasingly tied to infections in the mouth and throat. People with several lifetime oral-sex partners face a much higher risk.

The turning point comes when HPV enters the throat and stays there instead of clearing. Most people fight the virus off without knowing they ever had it. But for a small group, the infection lingers, disrupts healthy cells, and may slowly develop into cancer over many years.

Doctors stress that there is a powerful tool to prevent this problem: the HPV vaccine. Yet vaccination rates in the U.S. remain too low to protect the population. Less than 60 percent of school-age children have received the shot, far below levels seen in countries like the UK.

Lower vaccine uptake, fewer checkups during the pandemic, and a drop in condom use among young adults have added to the concern. Today, more than 58,000 Americans face oral or throat cancers each year, with thousands of families feeling the impact.

Health experts urge parents to talk with their doctors and consider the vaccine early. A simple decision today may help protect a child’s health for decades to come.