Chris Riley's case highlights the underestimated risks of HPV, which can lead to oropharyngeal cancer. Despite his active lifestyle, it took multiple medical visits for Riley to be diagnosed with cancer originating from his left tonsil, linked to HPV. The virus, prevalent yet often asymptomatic, can result in various malignancies, notably in the throat, and is responsible for thousands of cancer cases annually in the U.S. Despite an effective vaccine that can prevent up to 90% of these cancers, vaccinations remain alarmingly low, raising concerns over public health, especially with influential anti-vaccine sentiments.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPV is responsible for approximately 37,800 cases of cancer in the U.S. each year, highlighting its significant health impact.
While over 200 types of the virus exist, only a few can lead to cancer, usually many years or decades after exposure, emphasizing the importance of awareness and vaccination.
Collection
[
|
...
]