Catchable cancer rising in US? Here's all you need to know

US oncologists are increasingly worried about a rise in cancers that can be transmitted through infections, particularly those linked to common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

A recent report highlights that while rates of major cancers like lung, breast, and kidney have remained steady, cancers tied to the human papillomavirus (HPV) are on the increase in America.

Research from the American Association for Cancer Research shows a 17.5% increase in cervical cancer cases among individuals aged 30-34 from 2012 to 2019. Additionally, mouth and throat cancers caused by HPV have been rising across all age groups.


HPV is a highly contagious sexually transmitted virus affecting over 42 million Americans. It is associated with about 1.2% of cancers in men and 2.5% in women annually in the US. It can lead to cervical, head, neck, throat, and anal cancers. The virus spreads primarily through sexual contact.

The virus has 200 types, with 12 linked to cancer. HPV contributes to cancer by weakening the immune system, causing chronic inflammation, and changing cell behavior. It is responsible for nearly 99.7% of cervical cancers, 90% of anal cancers, and 70% of mouth and throat cancers.

Pathogens like HPV, hepatitis viruses, and H. pylori bacteria are known to be linked to various types of cancer, influenced by global factors like sanitation and healthcare practices.

The HPV vaccine, approved by the FDA in 2006, is available for both boys and girls starting at age 11. It is believed to prevent nearly 90% of HPV-related cancers, according to a 2020 study from Sweden. A 2024 study in Scotland found that early vaccination programs have led to zero new cases of cervical cancer this year.

However, the report states, “Despite clear evidence demonstrating that the vaccine reduces cervical cancer incidence, vaccine uptake in the US has been poor.”

In 2024, approximately 2 million cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the US. Of these, HPV-related cancers—of the mouth, head, throat, cervix, and genitals—account for 1.2% of all cancers in men and 2.5% in women. This includes about 11,500 new cases of cervical cancer and roughly 4,000 deaths from the disease.