‘Time For Recovery’: ‘Love Island’ Star Lexy Thornberry, 25, Says ‘It Feels Good to Attend Events Again’ After Completing Six Months of Radiation Treatment

“Love Island” star Lexy Thornberry, 25, is marking a major milestone now that she’s officially finished radiation treatment for head and neck cancer and is finally able to enjoy time with her family again. This often takes a back seat during the most intense phases of care.

“Today, I rang the bell!” she shared on Instagram. “After almost six months of treatment, I am officially done!”

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Thornberry, who appeared on season 3 of “Love Island” in 2021, revealed last fall that she had been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, though she didn’t specify the exact type.

According to the National Cancer Institute, these cancers typically begin in the squamous cells lining the mouth, throat, or voice box.

They can include oral, throat, and tongue cancers, and while tobacco and alcohol can raise risk, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is also a well‑established cause of certain head and neck cancers.

HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, some of which are spread through sexual contact, and is linked to several serious cancers, the NCI says. Not all oral cancers are caused by HPV, but the connection is strong enough that doctors continue to emphasize awareness and prevention.

 

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When Thornberry first shared her diagnosis, she stressed that she had always lived a healthy, active lifestyle as a lifelong athlete and Pilates instructor.

“There’s nothing I did wrong and nothing that could have prevented it. It’s just the luck of the draw. But it is something I will FIGHT,” she wrote.

Her radiation treatment targeted the cancer cells directly, though, as with many head and neck cancer patients, nearby healthy tissues were also affected in the process.

WATCH: What does radiotherapy feel like for the patient?

According to the National Cancer Institute, typical side effects of radiation to the head and neck may include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Changes to the skin or sense of taste
• Difficulty swallowing
• Mouth issues
• A less active thyroid gland

“Radiation therapy is actually ionizing energy, where energy goes through your body, essentially causes DNA damage,” Radiation Oncologist Dr. Subhakar Mutyala explained to SurvivorNet.

“It is a treatment where you don’t feel the treatment itself. Now, sometimes, you might feel the place where we place the tumor. If we’re placing applicators in the cancer, you might feel that. Or if you’re lying on a table and we’re holding you still, you might feel that. But the actual treatment is just ionizing energy,” Dr. Mutyala continued.

 

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“So many of you have reached out with messages of love and encouragement; they have all lifted my spirits,” Thornberry said.

She also gave credit to her fiancé, who supported her emotionally and physically during her cancer journey.

“I actually wouldn’t have been able to do it without you,” she said of her fiancé, David Nyika.

HPV-Linked Head and Neck Cancers Have Surged 300% Since the 1980s, Experts Warn

The rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has skyrocketed over the past few decades—a trend that has medical experts sounding the alarm.

“From the 1980s to the 2010s, the rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has gone up by 300 percent,” said Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer specialist and president and scientific director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in an interview with SurvivorNet.

While not all oral cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)—the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S.—there is a well-established link between the virus and certain types of head and neck cancers.

RELATED: Why the HPV Vaccine Is So Important in Preventing Cancer

WATCH: Understanding the Human Papillomavirus

According to Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, HPV infection is incredibly common among Americans.

“The vast majority of humans in the United States, both men and women, will eventually get infected with HPV,” Dr. Ho told SurvivorNet.

However, only a small fraction of those infected are at risk of developing cancer.

“The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing,” Dr. Ho explained.

“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor and cancer.”

Treatment for HPV-related oral cancers often involves surgery to remove the tumor, but may also include chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted drug therapies. In advanced cases, these treatments can affect a patient’s ability to eat or speak, although rehabilitation therapy can help many regain these essential functions.

The rise in HPV-related cancers underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and public awareness—especially when it comes to the life-saving potential of the HPV vaccine.

What You Should Know About HPV

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common but often misunderstood virus.

Though HPV is most commonly associated with cervical cancer, its reach extends far beyond. The virus is also known to cause cancers of the throat, vagina, penis, anus, and vulva. In fact, HPV is believed to be responsible for:

• 90% of anal and cervical cancers
• Approximately 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
• Around 60% of penile cancers

Despite its widespread impact, screening options remain limited—especially for throat cancer.

“There are no screening guidelines to screen for throat cancer, unlike cervical cancer with pap smears,” said Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, in an interview with SurvivorNet. “There are no standard tests to determine if you harbor the virus.”

The good news? HPV-related throat cancers tend to respond well to treatment.

“The cure rates for people who have HPV-related disease are a lot higher than those who have tobacco-related throat cancer,” Dr. Geiger explained.

Dickinson’s experience highlights the importance of HPV awareness—not just for women, but for everyone. With no routine screening for throat cancer, prevention through vaccination and education remains a critical tool in the fight against HPV-related diseases.

Protecting Against HPV: Why the Vaccine Matters More Than Ever

Nearly 80 million Americans are currently living with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While most people won’t experience serious health issues, for a small percentage, HPV can lead to cancer.

To reduce that risk, health experts strongly recommend the HPV vaccine, which protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer.

What the Vaccine Covers

Gardasil 9, the most widely used HPV vaccine, offers broad protection.

According to the National Cancer Institute, it guards against “nine HPV types: the two low-risk HPV types that cause most genital warts, plus seven high-risk HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancer.”

One of the most dangerous strains is HPV 16, which is responsible for 92% of head and neck cancers. The vaccine triggers an immune response that prevents infection from this strain, making it a powerful tool in cancer prevention.

“The key with the vaccine is that you receive it before you have sexual encounters,” explains Dr. Geiger. “So that’s why these vaccines are approved for young children ages 9, 10, 11 years old, up to age 26.”

Who Should Get Vaccinated—and When

• The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for all male and female preteens at ages 11 to 12, administered in two doses spaced six to twelve months apart.
• The series can begin as early as age 9.
• Teens and young adults through age 26 who didn’t start or complete the vaccine series should still get vaccinated.
• Those who begin the series between ages 15 and 26 or who have weakened immune systems should receive three doses instead of two.

While adults over 26 can still receive the vaccine, it’s generally less effective, as many have already been exposed to HPV. Still, individuals up to age 45 may choose to get vaccinated after consulting with their doctor about potential benefits.

WATCH: Should children get the HPV Vaccine?

Changing the Conversation Around HPV

Vaccine hesitancy remains a barrier, often rooted in concerns that the vaccine encourages early sexual activity. To counter this, many health professionals are shifting how they talk about it.

“I think rebranding the vaccine as a cancer vaccine, rather than an STD vaccine, is critically important,” says Dr. Teknos.

Dr. Teknos believes that focused efforts to “change the mindset around the vaccine” can make a meaningful difference.

By reframing the HPV vaccine as a powerful tool for cancer prevention, experts hope to boost vaccination rates—and protect more lives in the process.

Questions for Your Doctor

If you are concerned about your cancer risk related to the human papillomavirus or whether HPV caused the cancer you have, you can use one of the conversation starters below when talking with your doctor:

• I am unsure if I received the HPV vaccine when I was younger. What can I do to know for sure?
• If I experience symptoms that could be caused by HPV, what tests can I undergo to determine?
• How can I know if HPV caused the cancer I have?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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