Here are the warning signs of throat cancer to be aware of, after a man's diagnosis was linked to performing oral sex acts decades ago.
62-year-old Jeff Bradford revealed that he'd been 'totally shocked' to learn the cause of his throat cancer was caused by a strain of human papillomavirus (HPV), which is thought to have been lingering in his system for over three decades.
"I've had a few partners before I met my wife, but you just go about life like everyone else," Jeff explained. "You don't expect when you're young, 'Do that and I might get cancer when I'm 50-odd'.
"It's just bad luck."
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Fortunately, Jeff's cancer was treatable, and after an operation, chemotherapy and several rounds of radiotherapy, he has now been cancer-free for a decade – and wants to raise awareness about the condition.
He's also not the only person who's developed throat cancer from HPV, with Hollywood actor Michael Douglas also contracting the disease this way.
So what are the symptoms of throat cancer?
Throat cancer symptoms
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, the main symptoms of throat cancer are:
- A lump in the neck that does not go away
- Sore throat that does not get better
- Difficulty swallowing that is not improving
- Changes to your voice, such as hoarseness
Meanwhile, UCI Health also warns against pain in the jaw, ear or mouth, difficulty chewing or swallowing and chronic bad breath.
Over warning signs to look out for are:
- A numbness of the mouth or tongue
- A thickening in the cheek
- A lump on the lip or mouth
- A mouth or lip sore that isn't healing
- A red or white patch found on the gums, tongue, tonsil or mouth lining
Fatigue and unintentional weight loss can also be experienced, however the NHS says this is rare.
Around 2,000 new cases of laryngeal (throat) cancer every year in the UK, with instances more common in men over 60.
The link between HPV and throat cancer
According to Cancer Research UK, 70 percent of oropharyngeal and mouth cancers are caused by HPV, a virus which is infects the skin and cells lining the inside of the body. It's spread through close skin-to-skin contact, usually through sexual contact.
A recent study conducted by researchers in the US discovered that having over 10 different sexual partners can increase the risk of developing throat cancer.
HPV can also lie dormant in the body for years, or even decades, which is likely the case with Scottsman Jeff.
"I was totally shocked it was from that. When you try to explain it to people as well, they're like 'What, really?' He said It's probably been in your body for over 30 years', that's how long it can stay dormant for," he said.
"He said the sore throat I got could have just opened it up to getting a foothold, it's just bad luck."
Brenna Cooper