While tobacco and alcohol are well-known risk factors for oral cancer, infection with HPV16 has emerged as the primary driver of these malignancies in the oropharynx. The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has also dramatically increased in recent years particularly among non-Hispanic white males. Based on 2018-2022 CDC data, the number of HPV-attributable oropharyngeal cancers in males has surpassed cervical cancer in females caused by human papillomavirus 16 and 18. 

Diagnosis of oral cancer in early stages has a favorable impact on its prognosis. In contrast, those with advanced oral cancer often require aggressive therapy, suffer significant morbidity and have poor survival. 

Oral health professionals can play a critical role in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer by educating their patients about traditional and emerging risk factors as well as signs and symptoms of this malignancy, performing oral cancer screening for all new and recall patients and encouraging HPV vaccination. Although the optimal time for this vaccine administration is 11-12 years of age, unvaccinated individuals may still receive it through age 26.

References: American Cancer Society, CDC & Oral Cancer Foundation