Jeff Bradford, a 62-year-old from Scotland, developed a sore throat in March 2016. He initially thought his sore throat was due to dust from gym renovations. Jeff Bradford's GP initially diagnosed him with tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics.
Bradford was referred to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for further examination. Specialists at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary suspected cancer after examining Jeff Bradford's throat. In June 2016, Jeff Bradford underwent surgery to remove a tumor.
I wore a mask but a couple of days later I had a sore throat. I thought it was just irritation from the dust, but I couldn't shake it.
His cancer was linked to HPV16, a virus associated with oral sex. Doctors told Jeff Bradford the HPV infection may have been dormant in his body for decades. HPV is a common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, and can in rare cases lead to cancer years later.
Cases of head and neck cancers have been rising in recent years. Warning signs of mouth cancer include mouth ulcers that don't heal, a hoarse voice, and unexplained lumps in the mouth. This case highlights the importance of early detection and awareness of HPV-related health risks.
I wasn't nervous at all. It never crossed my mind it could be cancer. We even planned to go out for lunch after the appointment. I was shocked when they said they thought it could be cancer, but things moved very quickly after that.
I was totally shocked when they said it was linked to HPV and could be associated with oral sex. They told me it may have been in my body for decades. It just stays dormant sometimes, and something like a minor infection can allow it to take hold. Driving back 80 miles home, my wife and I never spoke a word.
I had no fever, so I went back, then a different doctor gave me some stronger antibiotics. He also took a throat swab as he said it could be strep throat. He was a bit suspicious of it and took some photos.
I couldn't see anything but I could feel something touching the back of my tongue, it was making me gag.
HPV is caught through sexual transmission, it's normally from oral sex. I was totally shocked it was from that. He said 'it's probably been in your body for over 30 years,' that's how long it can stay dormant. He said the sore throat I got could have just opened it up to getting a foothold, it's just bad luck.
You just go about life like everyone else. You don't expect when you're young 'do that and I might get cancer when I'm 50-odd.'
Radiotherapy caused really bad burns. It was like someone took a blowtorch to my neck, it was horrible.
I've got no qualms talking about that at all. Everybody does it, don't they? It's a normal, sexual activity with somebody you love – it's an intimate thing that couples do. I would never say to anyone 'give up oral sex,' it's just a natural thing to do, but it mig