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Red flag symptoms of laryngeal cancer as Jamie Theakston fans spotted key sign in voice
by Fionnula Hainey · Manchester Evening NewsRadio presenter Jamie Theakston announced this week that he has been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer after his listeners noticed a key sign.
Earlier this month, the Heart Radio star thanked his fans for spotting a change in his voice, which he got checked out by doctors. The 53-year-old was found to have a lesion on his vocal chords, which he then had removed in an operation.
This week, Jamie updated his fans on his condition, telling them that the subsequent biopsy had identified stage one laryngeal cancer. Laryngeal cancer forms in the tissues of the larynx – part of the throat between the base of the tongue and the trachea - also known as the voice box. The larynx plays an important role in helping you breathe and speak.
READ MORE: NHS sends message after Jamie Theakston listeners spotted 'change in voice' before cancer diagnosis
According to the NHS, there are more than 2,000 new cases of this type of cancer diagnosed in the UK each year. The condition is more common in men than in women, and is more common in people over the age of 60.
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The NHS says a number of factors could increase your risk of getting the condition, such as smoking tobacco, heavy drinking and an unhealthy diet. Exposure to certain chemicals and substances, such as asbestos and coal dust, may also put you at higher risk of the disease.
Red flag symptoms of laryngeal cancer
A change in the sound of your voice, such as it becoming more hoarse, is the main symptom of laryngeal cancer. If you have had a hoarse voice for more than three weeks, the NHS recommends that you see your GP.
Other symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
- pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
- a lump or swelling in your neck
- a long-lasting cough or breathlessness
- a persistent sore throat or earache
- a high-pitched wheezing noise when you breathe
- in severe cases, difficulty breathing
Some people may also experience bad breath, unintentional weight loss, or extreme tiredness, according to the NHS.
Some of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions, such as laryngitis, but the NHS advises getting them checked out if you are concerned.
Maxine Lenza, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "It can be tempting to put changes to your body down to getting older or another health condition, but it’s important to tell your doctor if you notice anything that’s not normal for you, or isn’t going away. In most cases it won’t be cancer, but if it is, finding it at an early stage can make a real difference."
Most laryngeal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, according to the NHS, which means the outlook is generally better than some other types of cancer.
Overall, about 65 out of every 100 people will live for five years or more after diagnosis, and about 55 out of every 100 people will live for 10 years or more.