Why oral sex and smoking are the major cause of throat cancer - Medical expert explains

Dr. Ama Boatemaa Prah, an otolaryngologist in the medical field, has disclosed some of the activities that cause one's throat to be infected with a cancer disease.

She mentioned that one of the major causes of throat cancer is oral sex. She explained that through this sexual activity, a virus is transmitted to the individual's throat, thereby leading to the infection of cervical cancer.

She further indicated that smoking in all forms also contributes to the infection of the disease, and she advised the public to desist from such acts to safeguard their health.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 and monitored by GhanaWeb, Dr. Boatemaa stated that excessive intake of alcohol is also part of the factors that cause the disease.

"It's primarily a disease for smokers. All sorts of smoking, tobacco, marijuana, shisha, and all that. It's not just for smokers, but we have what we call secondary smokers. So, if you are not holding the cigarettes to smoke, but you are always in the presence of people who are smoking and taking it, you can get it. We have other risk factors, like alcohol.

"Consumption of large quantities of alcohol can cause throat cancer. Another risk is oral sex. Through oral sex, we can transmit a virus called the HPV virus, which is implicated in causing cervical cancer. So that same organism that can cause cervical cancer, if you are getting it in your throat, you can get throat cancer," she said.

Oral sex, sometimes referred to as oral intercourse, is sexual activity involving the stimulation of the genitalia of a person by another person using the mouth, tongue, and teeth.

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