A sore throat or hoarseness doesn’t always indicate cancer, but if a change in voice and difficulty swallowing persist for more than three weeks, it could be a sign of throat cancer. Cancer experts advise against ignoring such symptoms. Early treatment…

Heaviness in the throat, pain, or hoarseness isn’t always a sign of a serious illness, but ignoring these problems for a long time can be dangerous. According to experts, if certain symptoms persist for more than three weeks, they could indicate throat cancer. In such a situation, it’s important to consult a doctor without delay.

2 major early symptoms of throat cancer
According to cancer experts, the two most important early signs of throat cancer are –

• ·         Persistent change or hoarseness of voice
• ·         Difficulty swallowing food

·         If these problems persist for more than three weeks, you should immediately consult an ENT specialist or cancer doctor. Your doctor may perform an endoscopy and other necessary scans to determine the exact cause.

Other symptoms to look out for
Apart from these two main symptoms, some other signs can also increase the risk of throat cancer, such as-

• ·         Earache
• ·         Prolonged sore throat
• ·         Feeling of a lump or swelling in the throat
• ·         Difficulty swallowing anything
• ·         Difficulty speaking or voice change
• ·         Unexplained weight loss
• ·         Persistent cough or coughing up blood
• ·         Breathlessness
• ·         feeling like something is stuck in the throat

Which people are more at risk?
According to doctors, people who chew tobacco or smoke have a higher risk of throat cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risk. Furthermore, people with viral infections like HPV or Epstein-Barr, poor diet, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach problems, and exposure to toxic chemicals at work can also be at risk.

Doctor’s advice
Experts say that getting tested early is the best approach, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Early detection can make treatment more effective and easier.

PC:Punjab Kesari