Cancer of the throat and oral cavity may overtake cervical cancer in prevalence, according to a report from Ohio State University and the American Cancer Institute. Until years ago, the most common cause of throat cancer was smoking and alcohol. Nowadays, the cases of tumor formations in this area as a result of infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) are more and more common, the researchers found. The human papilloma virus is primarily sexually transmitted and is the cause of cervical cancer. New research shows that the virus can also lead to oropharyngeal cancer. The study tracked the development of the papillomavirus by directly testing tumor tissue from 271 patients. HPV-positive patients with oropharyngeal cancer have increased from 16% in 1980. up to almost 73% since the beginning of 2000. NEWS_MORE_BOX The virus can also be transmitted through oral sex, and although it is more common in men, it is also found in the female population, said Dr. Maura Gilson, who led the study. . There is a vaccine against human papillomavirus. At this stage, it is approved for the prevention of cervical cancer, genital warts and anal cancer. The research team hopes for further studies to show whether the cervical cancer vaccine can also be used against oropharyngeal cancer.