Expert warns against tobacco smoking to avoid throat cancer

Larai Labaran, the Desk Officer, Cancer Unit, Department of Public Health in the FCT Administration, has warned tobacco smokers to desist from the act to avoid throat cancer.
Labaran told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja that heavy smokers who had smoked tobacco for a long time were more at risk of developing cancer of the throat.
According to her, the risk increases more for people who smoke and drink heavily.
She said: “Many other possible risk factors are still undergoing research.
“For example, researchers are studying whether the Human Papiloma Virus, infection in the throat, may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.
“HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the body.
“It causes the vast majority of cervical cancer.
“Cancer of the larynx occurs most often in people over the age of 55 years and occurs more in men than women.”
Labaran said that the symptoms depended mainly on the size and location of the tumour, adding that common symptoms included a hoarse voice or other voice changes that last for more than three weeks.
She explained that other symptoms could be sore throat a lump in the neck, persistent cough, as well as having trouble breathing or swallowing for more than six weeks.
She said: “Tobacco smoking causes most of the throat cancers.
“The usage of any sort is harmful to your health.
“Stop any sort of tobacco smoking and most throat cancers will be prevented.”
She said that the treatment depended on the stage and other traits of the cancer, adding that the choice of treatment also depended on general health.
Labaran advised that quitting tobacco and alcohol at any time is beneficial to one’s health.
She, therefore, recommended regular medical checkup, saying improvement in diets rich in vitamins and proteins was beneficial.
“Please report to any medical doctor when you observe any of the mentioned symptoms,” she said.