In a warning to the public, Dr. Kenneth Baidoo, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Consultant and Head of the ENT Department at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has highlighted a concerning surge in head and neck cancer cases across Ghana. He attributes this increase largely to preventable lifestyle choices, including smoking shisha, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and engaging in oral sex, which can introduce harmful substances and viruses that damage cells in the mouth and throat.
Speaking as part of an ongoing sensitisation programme, Dr. Baidoo noted that tobacco remains a primary culprit, now appearing in various forms such as chewing, snuffing, and even vaping, which some perceive as a safer alternative but carries the same risks.
The specialist pointed out that these habits are particularly prevalent among young people, where awareness of the dangers is low. Shisha smoking, often seen as a social activity, introduces carcinogenic toxins similar to traditional tobacco, while excessive alcohol irritates and damages tissues in the throat and mouth. Adding to the concern, Dr. Baidoo explained that oral sex can transmit the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus strongly linked to oropharyngeal cancers. This connection has been echoed by Dr. Oum Kalsoum Zakaria Adams, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident at Korle Bu, who stated, “Now, our sexual practices have changed and a lot of people are engaging in oral sex, which makes you easily pre-disposed to HPV causing these cancers. So to guard against this, ensure that you’re using your condoms, and remaining faithful to one sexual partner.”
Head and neck cancers typically affect areas such as the mouth, throat, nose, voice box, and salivary glands. Common symptoms include a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or changes in voice, unexplained sores or lumps in the mouth, and swelling in the neck. Dr. Baidoo stressed the importance of early detection, urging Ghanaians to seek medical help promptly if these signs appear, as timely intervention can significantly improve survival rates and treatment success.
Statistics underscore the gravity of the issue in Ghana. Tumors of the pharynx and larynx account for 7.4% and 3.5% of all malignancies, ranking as the second and seventh most common types of cancers, respectively. A six-year review at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital found that head and neck cancers represented 9.8% of all malignancies seen during the study period. Globally, these cancers make up about 4% of all cancer cases, but in low to middle-income countries, they contribute to 70% of cancer deaths, with changing behaviors potentially exacerbating the trend.
Dr. Baidoo has appealed to health authorities to ramp up campaigns targeting young people, focusing on the lesser-known risks of shisha and unprotected oral sex. “These factors are not widely understood,” he noted, advocating for preventive measures like quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake, practicing safe sex, and getting vaccinated against HPV where possible.
