Otolaryngologist and neck surgeon at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Kenneth Baidoo says some major factors contribute to the increasing rate of throat cancer.

He says people who begin having sex at an early age are prone to oropharyngeal cancer, making it one of the major contributing factors.

Also, the neck surgeon stated that people with numerous partners are at risk of being affected by the disease.

Emphasising his position on Prime Morning, he said, "If you started having sex quite early, then you’re at risk. If you have multiple partners, like six, you’re at risk."

Oropharyngeal cancer, as it is known, although is uncommon, has a three per cent rate cause of death.

The otolaryngologist further pointed out some major symptoms that people need to be aware of. These include severe neck and ear pain.

He said alcohol and tobacco were historically the causes of throat cancer until the rise of oral cancer.

"Historically, throat cancer was caused by alcohol and tobacco in all their forms," he said.

The severity of cancer, according to him, initially starts later when the person approaches old age, like 50 and above, but has in recent times moved earlier to between 30 and 40.

Meanwhile, Dr Baidoo noted that males are at higher risk of being infected with the ailment.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, commonly known as throat cancer or tonsil cancer, is a type of head and neck cancer that refers to the cancer of the base and posterior one-third of the tongue, the tonsils, soft palate, and posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls. 

There are two types of oropharyngeal cancers including HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, which is caused by an oral human papillomavirus infection; and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer, which is linked to the use of alcohol, tobacco, or both. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is most common in young people.