Is it allergies or head and neck cancer?

I live with a sore throat — not one that comes and goes or is only there when I’m sick — but a sore throat that is always there at some level.

For over a year now, I’ve been writing it off as allergies. After all, I have severe seasonal issues, especially when ragweed or cedar or in bloom.

But, recently I read a study that said my persistent sore throat could be caused by something far worse than post-nasal drip…

It could be cancer.

A sign of larynx cancer

The research, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) — the largest national clinical research funder in Europe — and published in the British Journal of General Practice aims to improve the chances for earlier detection of cancer, which is key in getting the best survival rates and health outcomes for patients.

And, the cancer the University of Exeter researchers set their sights on?

Larynx cancer — one of the most common types of head and neck cancers, affecting 11,700 people per year in the UK and another 13,150 in the U.S. In the U.S., 3,710 of those people will die this year.

Like all cancer, the earlier larynx cancer is detected, the better the survival rate. Unfortunately, this type of cancer can be hard to find and difficult to detect without resorting to complex tests requiring specialized doctors.

But, they can be detected early if doctors know what symptoms to look for…

Related: Cancer BEFORE 45? Get these symptoms checked

In fact, it’s an established fact that voice changes, like hoarseness, can be a sign of larynx cancer that should be investigated.

And now, thanks to this latest research, we now know that a persistent sore throat falls into the same category…

A higher level of risk

In fact, the study found that not only should GPs consider larynx cancer when patients report a persistent sore throat, particularly when combined with other seemingly low-level symptoms like problems swallowing and earache — but that it actually carries a greater level of risk than hoarseness alone.

The researchers discovered that a persistent sore throat combines with just one of those other symptoms is associated with more than a five percent risk of cancer compared with 2.7 percent risk for patients who only live with hoarseness.

Lead author Dr. Elizabeth Shephard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “There’s still some way to go and the results of this study really highlight the need to improve the current recommendations for all of the head and neck cancers — which are either incomplete or absent.”

Addressing your sore throat

So, don’t let incomplete or absent recommendations when it comes to larynx cancer put you at risk.

If you live with a persistent sore throat, like I do, especially if it’s combined with an earache, problems swallowing or hoarseness, do what I plan to do and tell your doctor about the study and see about getting screened for larynx cancer. The earlier it’s detected, the better your chances of living a long, healthy life.

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Sources:

1. Persistent sore throat could be larynx cancer warning — EurekAlert!
2. Head and neck cancers statistics — Cancer Research UK
3. Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Statistics — Cancer.net | American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)