Fans and well-wishers of Olanrewaju Fasasi, a.k.a Sound Sultan, have expressed concerns for the musician’s health after reports on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with throat cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy in the United States.The ailment occurs when cells in a person’s throat develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause cells to grow wildly and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in a person’s throat.
It is a relatively rare type of cancer, and according to the National Cancer Institute, the lifetime risk of developing cancer in the mouth or throat is around 1.2%.
Throat cancer has also been linked to other types of cancers. In fact, some people diagnosed with throat cancer are diagnosed with esophageal, lung, or bladder cancer at the same time.
Throat cancer is often grouped into two categories: pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer.
Pharyngeal cancer develops in the pharynx, which is the hollow tube that runs from behind the nose to the top of the windpipe.
Laryngeal cancer, on the other hand, forms in the larynx, which is the voice box.
The two primary types of throat cancer are (i.) Squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the flat cells lining the throat, and (ii.) Adenocarcinoma, which affects the glandular cells.
Causes:
Medical experts have not been able to ascertain specific causes of throat cancer. However, certain factors have been identified as capable of increasing the chances of one falling victim to the ailment.
These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, exposure to tobacco and asbestos, poor dental hygiene, genetic syndromes, Viral infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus, a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), etc.
Symptoms:
Common signs and symptoms of throat cancer include: change in one’s voice, trouble swallowing (dysphagia), weight loss, sore throat, constant need to clear one’s throat, persistent cough, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, wheezing, and ear pain.
Prevention:
While there is no proven way to prevent throat cancer, there are certain measures to take in order to reduce the chances of its occurrence, such as by:
- Minimising or totally avoiding smoking
- Drinking alcohol only in moderation,
- Choosing a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.
- Protecting oneself from HPV.
source: Punch
