A ‘disturbing’ increase in some HPV-related cancers

Although cervical cancer is declining, human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers of the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx) as well as anal canal cancers are increasing, according to a population-based study in Alberta. The study, which includes cancers diagnosed over the last 35 years from the Alberta Cancer Registry, looked at trends in HPV-related cancers. During the study period, 8120 HPV-associated cancers were diagnosed in the province, of which 56 per cent were cervical cancers and 18 per cent oropharyngeal cancers. Read more here.