Mouth and Throat Cancer: Warning Signs, HPV and How to Lower Your Risk
November 14, 2026 · Cancer Information, Cancer Prevention
Cancers of the mouth and throat don't get much attention, but they're more common than many people think, and some are on the rise. Many are found by dentists, and many can be prevented. Here are the warning signs to know and the steps that lower your risk.
How common they are
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 60,480 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cavity (mouth) or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer in 2026, and about 13,150 will die from these cancers. They're more than twice as common in men as in women, and the average age at diagnosis is 64, although many cases are in younger people.
The HPV connection
Human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus that causes most cervical cancers, now causes many throat cancers. HPV DNA is found in about 2 out of 3 cancers of the oropharynx, the part of the throat that includes the back of the tongue, the soft palate and the tonsils. The rate of these cancers has been rising by about 1% a year. HPV-linked throat cancers often occur in people who don't smoke or drink heavily, and they tend to respond better to treatment than throat cancers not linked to HPV.
Warning signs
See a doctor or dentist if any of these last more than a few weeks:
- a sore on the lip or in the mouth that doesn't heal
- a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsils or lining of the mouth
- a lump or thickening in the cheek, or a lump in the neck
- a sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
- trouble chewing or swallowing, or trouble moving the jaw or tongue
- numbness of the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
- pain in the mouth or ear that doesn't go away
- swelling of the jaw that makes dentures fit poorly
- loosening of the teeth, or a change in your voice
Most of these are caused by something other than cancer. But a sore or lump that sticks around for weeks should always be checked.
Main risk factors
- Tobacco in any form: cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco or snuff.
- Alcohol. Drinking raises the risk, and tobacco and alcohol together are especially dangerous. People who both smoke and drink heavily have a risk that can be as much as 30 times higher than people who don't.
- HPV infection, especially for throat cancers.
- Sun exposure, for cancers of the lip.
- Age and sex: risk rises with age and is higher in men.
- A weakened immune system, such as after an organ transplant.
How to lower your risk
- Don't use tobacco, and get help quitting if you do. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
- Limit alcohol.
- Get the HPV vaccine. The CDC recommends it routinely at ages 11 to 12 (it can be started as early as 9), and for everyone through age 26 who wasn't fully vaccinated. Some adults aged 27 to 45 may decide to get it after talking with their doctor.
- Use lip balm with sunscreen and limit sun exposure.
- See your dentist regularly. Many dentists look for signs of mouth cancer during routine checkups, and many of these cancers are found that way.
Diagnosis and treatment
If something looks suspicious, your doctor or dentist may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist, who will examine the area and take a biopsy. Throat cancers are usually tested for HPV, because it affects the outlook and treatment. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, often in combination.
Learn more about oral cancer symptoms, throat cancer symptoms and treatment, and find oncologists and cancer treatment centers in our directory.
The bottom line
A mouth sore, patch or lump that hasn't gone away in a few weeks deserves a checkup. Skip tobacco, limit alcohol, keep up with dental visits, and make sure your kids get the HPV vaccine.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own situation.