More and more people are suffering from pharyngeal cancer

More and more people are already affected
In Austria, more and more people are suffering from pharyngeal cancer. The life-threatening illness is according to experts on a worrying advance, sometimes even an epidemic is spoken. The cancer is triggered mainly by an infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is apparently transmitted by oral sex in many cases.

100 to 120 new cases a year
The increasing number of cancers of the pharynx is "worrying," according to the director of the ENT department at the Innsbruck Clinic, Herbert Riechelmann, in an interview with "orf.at". In the meantime, about 2,500 people are affected in Austria and 100 to 120 new cases a year are expected. In the light of the figures, experts say there is an "epidemic".
The life-threatening cancer is transmitted mainly by human papillomaviruses (HPV virus), explains Riechelmann. These are the most common sexually transmitted viruses in the world, which are also responsible for the development of cervical cancer. In the past, smoking and alcohol were the main risk factors, but now In the United States, more people develop pharyngeal cancer through HPV than through cigarettes.

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Transmission of viruses through oral sex
According to studies, this is due to a changed sexual behavior or the more frequent practice of oral sex. A topic which became known at least since the statements of the concerned US actor Michael Douglas in the public. For in an interview he had unusually openly associated his acquired cancer of the tongue with oral sex.

Enlarged lymph nodes on the neck can be a warning sign
Normally, according to Herbert Riechelmann, a malignant tumor in the pharynx is easy to treat, but many carcinomas are discovered very late. An early warning sign are enlarged, painless lymph nodes on the neck, as well as difficulty swallowing, persistent hoarseness or blood in the saliva for more than three weeks, explains the physician. To protect yourself from a medical condition, an HPV vaccine could potentially help. Since this shows good results in cervical cancer, it can be assumed that this could also prevent a cancer in the throat, said the head of the ENT department at the Innsbruck Hospital.

Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco
In addition to the prophylaxis should be paid to a healthy diet and lifestyle by, inter alia, an excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco is avoided. Because smoking and alcohol continue to be considered as important risk factors for a pharynx carcinoma. Since heartburn or reflux can also promote the development of the disease, it is important that they are treated early. (No)