By: Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
The Head of the ENT Unit at the Institutional Care Division of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Eunice Rabiatu Abdulai, has raised concerns over the increasing incidence of throat cancer, linking it partly to lifestyle practices such as oral sex.
She made this known during a discussion on the GTV Breakfast Show’s BFS Clinic segment on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The programme also featured throat cancer survivor Mary Amankwa Fordwor, who shared her personal experience to complement the medical insights provided, as the discussion aimed to educate the public on the disease, its causes and warning signs.
“Now there’s a lot of oral sex, and it is linked to HPV, the same virus that causes cervical and penile cancers, and it is contributing to throat cancer,” Dr. Abdulai stated.
Explaining what throat cancer is, Dr. Abdulai said the condition affects different parts of the throat, including the nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. She noted that the disease is among the most common cancers globally and is now increasingly being diagnosed in younger people.
According to her, this shift is largely due to changing lifestyles and increased exposure to risk factors such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which plays a significant role in the development of certain throat cancers.
“Previously, we saw more older patients, but now younger people are being diagnosed because of these lifestyle changes, which makes awareness very important,” she added.
On the symptoms, Dr. Abdulai explained that throat cancer often begins with mild signs that are easy to ignore, leading to late diagnosis in many cases. She listed persistent sore throat, difficulty or pain when swallowing, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, and changes in voice as some of the early warning signs.
She further indicated that in more advanced cases, especially when the larynx is affected, patients may experience difficulty in breathing, making early detection critical.
“It may look like a simple sore throat that does not go away after two weeks or a wound that is not healing, but these could be early signs of cancer and must be checked,” she cautioned.
Sharing her experience, Ms. Fordwor said her condition began with gradual voice changes and discomfort in her throat, which she initially mistook for a minor infection. She explained that the symptoms persisted over time, despite seeking medical attention.
She noted that it took several consultations before the condition was properly identified, by which time it had developed into throat cancer, highlighting the dangers of delayed diagnosis.
“I realised my voice was changing, but I thought it was something minor. Later, it turned out to be something serious,” she said.
Ms. Fordwor urged the public to seek prompt medical care when symptoms persist and to take early signs seriously, stressing that early detection can significantly improve outcomes.
“I wish I had followed up earlier when the symptoms started. People should not ignore what their bodies are telling them,” she advised.
