Cancer is a frightening idea, and many people are scared of developing it and getting a diagnosis. Their lives will change and, in some cases, those lives might end. However, not learning about cancer could make things worse, as it might be that you have symptoms but don’t realize. Since getting treatment as early as possible is the key to a good prognosis, knowing what the symptoms of the most common cancers are can help hugely. With that in mind, here are some symptoms women need to look out for when it comes to throat cancer. Read on to find out more.
Persistent Sore Throat
Everyone knows how terrible it is to have a sore throat. Simple acts like eating, drinking, or even swallowing can be excruciating, and although you can try drops and lozenges to ease the pain, nothing helps.
We all get sore throats from time to time; they come about due to various infections and bugs. However, if you have a continual sore throat that you just can’t get rid of and that you have had for two weeks or more, this could be a sign of throat cancer, and you must get checked out by a doctor. The earlier throat cancer is detected, the sooner treatment at a great center like moffitt.org can start, so getting help is not something to put off.
Difficulty Swallowing
Another sign that you might have throat cancer is if you have difficulty swallowing. This is known as dysphagia, and it can happen when you eat or drink, but it can also happen when swallowing saliva throughout the course of the day. The issue is that you might have a tumor in your throat that is causing an obstruction.
Difficulty swallowing might sound like something that you would automatically get checked out, but many people don’t ask for the help they need. The human mind is adept at ignoring potential problems if they might cause stress, so you can quickly get used to this problem, even if it doesn’t seem likely. This is why you must make an appointment quickly so that you don’t leave it too late.
Voice Changes
Throat cancer can affect the vocal cords, and this will lead to changes in your choice. It might be that you sound hoarse all the time, that you have to whisper, or even that your voice gets higher or lower, depending on the issue itself.
If you experience any unexplained voice changes, such as a deepening of the voice or a new, rough kind of tone, you will definitely need to see a doctor for help. The longer this goes on, the more damage can be done, and the more chance there is for cancer cells to grow in the throat.
Ear Pain
One particularly surprising symptom of throat cancer is ear pain. If you don’t have an ear infection or any ear injury, and you do have ear pain, this could be linked to throat cancer. The reason that ear pain is a symptom is likely down to how closely it is linked to the throat, not just in terms of proximity but because of how the ears and throat are structured.
If you have ear pain that lasts for more than two weeks and has no underlying reason, please speak to your doctor immediately to rule out any major issues.