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with oropharyngeal cancer which affects the throat, tonsils and the front of the tongue. It is important for health care providers to know that people without traditional risk factors for snuff and alcohol use can nevertheless be at risk of oropharyngeal cancer Doctor D'Souza Gypsamber Also asked about sexual practices and other risk factors for disease such as family history. Those who had evidence of prior oral HPV infection were 32 times higher risk of throat cancer. HPV16, one of the most common strains of the virus causing cancer, was present in the tumors of 72% of cancer patients in the study. Risk Factors There was no added risk for people infected with HPV who also smoked and drank alcohol, suggesting that the virus itself is driving the risk of cancer. Oral sex was described as the main mode of transmission of HPV but the researchers said mouth-to-mouth transmission, for example through kissing, could not be ruled out. People should know that oropharyngeal cancer is relatively uncommon and the vast majority of people with oral HPV infection probably will not develop throat cancer Dr. Maura Gillison Most HPV infections are cured with few or no symptoms, but a small percentage of people who acquired high-risk strains may develop cancer, researchers said. The study's author, Dr. Gypsamber D'Souza said: "It is important that health services know that people without traditional risk factors for snuff and alcohol use may be, however, at risk of oropharyngeal cancer." The Co-researcher Dr Maura Gillison said previous studies suggested a strong link. But he added: "People should know that oropharyngeal cancer is relatively uncommon and the vast majority of people with oral HPV infection probably will not develop throat cancer." A vaccine that protects against cervical cancer caused by strains 6, 11 and HPV 18 is available, and researchers say the study provides a rationale for vaccinating both men and women. However, it is not known whether the vaccine would protect against oral HPV infection.