Smoking ‘Shisha’ and oral sex can cause throat cancer – Dr. Ama Boatemaa Prah

Medical Doctor and Otolaryngologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ama Boatemaa Prah has advised against the habit of smoking shisha as it can lead to throat cancer.

According to her, aside smoking any form of substance such as marijuana and Tobacco, engaging in oral sex like blowjobs, and leaking of the female genital can also lead to throat cancer.

“Through oral sex, you can transmit the 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,” Dr. Prah explained on TV3’s New Day, April 24.

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She stressed that the disease is primarily associated with avid smokers and second-hand smokers and mainly affects the voice box or the larynx.

Throat cancer occurs when there is an abnormal growth of cells in the pharynx (throat) or larynx (voice box).

Despite this, Dr. Prah disclosed that the disease is ideally found common in persons aged 60 years and above.

Dr. Prah outlined some of the symptoms of the disease as changes in once’s voice or hoarseness and not speaking clearly, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, weight loss, ear pain etc.

She urged individuals who may experience such symptoms to visit a medical doctor for diagnosis and further treatment.

Persons diagnosed with throat cancer usually undergo surgery where the voice organ in the body is taken off completely when it’s at a severe stage.

According to Dr. Prah, there are other options after the surgery which includes a voice prosthesis being installed to assist patients in speaking.

A throat cancer survival, Mary also disclosed that she’s undergone through 14 surgeries and now has a voice prosthesis aiding her speech.

She’s been with the disease for ten years now.