Worries the rates of vaccination preventing a rising throat cancer are dangerously low

The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation says a type of throat cancer attributed the HPV virus has doubled in 20 years.

The virus is now related to 70 percent of throat cancers - and can affect people as young as their teens.

Foundation Trustee Dr John Chaplin says it is easily preventable with free vaccinations.

But, he says the HPV vaccination rate in New Zealand is at 60 percent - well off the mark compared with Australia and the UK.