For a long time, throat cancer in India has been mainly associated with smoking and chewing tobacco. According to the report of India Today, now doctors say that due to changing lifestyle and sexual behavior, a new cause has increasingly come into discussion which is Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This is a common virus that can also spread through intimate contact, especially oral sex, and has been found to be linked to throat cancer.
According to health experts, tobacco is still the biggest cause of throat cancer in India, but in many countries of the world like America and Britain, HPV infection has now become the main cause of this disease. This change has given rise to new debates regarding sexual health, HPV awareness and vaccination.
Is HPV virus becoming the new cause of throat cancer?
According to doctors, its cases are increasing gradually. HPV is one of the most common viral infections found worldwide. In most cases, this infection goes away on its own, but some of its high-risk strains like HPV-16 and HPV-18 can persist in the body for a long time and cause cancer.
These strains are generally considered to be associated with cervical cancer, but now research has shown that they are also associated with oropharyngeal cancer, i.e. cancer occurring in the upper part of the throat, tonsils and the base of the tongue. Doctors say that during oral sex, this virus can reach the throat tissue and can remain present for a long time and cause cancer.
Dr. B. Niranjan Naik said, ‘If this virus persists in the body for many years, it can interfere with the normal control mechanisms of cells and gradually cause cancer. Generally this process can take 10 to 30 years. The increasing incidence of HPV-associated throat cancer in Western countries has been linked to changes in sexual behavior, having more number of sexual partners, and the lack of HPV vaccine in previous generations.
What does the status of throat cancer say in India?
Statistics show that tobacco is still the biggest cause in India. India is among the countries with the highest number of head and neck cancer cases in the world. According to cancer registries, head and neck cancer accounts for about one-third of the total cancer cases in the country. However, doctors say that most of the cases of throat cancer in India are still related to tobacco and smoking. An increase in HPV-related cases is definitely being seen, but their number is still less as compared to western countries. Doctors have also noted that in recent years, many men aged between 40 and 50 have been diagnosed with throat cancer, even though they have never smoked or consumed tobacco. In such cases the risk of HPV infection increases.
What are the early signs of throat cancer?
Many times the initial symptoms are very mild, so people ignore them. Throat cancer occurs when genetic changes occur in the throat cells and they start growing uncontrollably. Its early warning signs include-
- prolonged sitting of voice
- sore throat for more than two weeks
- trouble swallowing
- ear pain
- lump in the neck or throat
- sudden weight loss
Doctors say that cancer can be cured with timely detection and treatment, hence these symptoms should not be ignored. Dr. Iyer said that ‘Cancer treatment is possible if it is detected in the early stages. The importance of timely diagnosis and timely treatment cannot be underestimated. In fact, this is the most important factor that determines the outcome of the treatment.’
Can the HPV vaccine also prevent throat cancer?
Experts believe that it can indirectly reduce the risk. Amidst the increasing concern about HPV infection, the government is also emphasizing on vaccination. On February 28, the Union Health Ministry announced the launch of the HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls in the country, which aims to prevent cervical cancer. Experts believe that this vaccine can also indirectly reduce the risk of other cancers related to HPV, such as throat cancer. Many doctors are now also advising that boys should also be given the HPV vaccine, because this virus is spread through sexual contact and can affect both men and women.
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