How to spot laryngeal cancer symptoms after Jamie Theakston’s shock diagnosis

Jamie Theakston revealed he had been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer after going to his doctors when Heart Radio listeners expressed concern over a change in his voice on air

Jamie Theakston stunned his Heart Radio breakfast show listeners when he announced he had been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer.

The 53-year-old admitted he went to his doctors after listeners expressed concern with a change in his voice, and on Tuesday, he confirmed he had been diagnosed with cancer. “Hi folks, as you know – I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal cords. The biopsy has identified this as stage 1 laryngeal cancer,” he wrote in a statement on Instagram. “So – I have cancer – but cancer doesn’t have me. The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October.”

The TV and radio host has been diagnosed with stage one cancer, and according to Cancer Research, around 90% of adults will survive their cancer for five years or more at that stage, due to it being caught early. Stage one laryngeal cancer means it has not spread to any nearby lymph nodes or other organs, and is located in one part of the larynx. This type of cancer will mainly occur in men, and Cancer Research only have statistics for survival rates in men because so few women are diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.

More than 45% of men will survive their cancer for 10 years or more, and that number will increase if the cancer is caught in the early stages. The cancer is located in the larynx, and affects more than 2,000 people every year, with men over 60 more likely to be diagnosed than women.

Symptoms may include a sore throat and a hoarse/croaky voice , which is quite common due to the location of the larynx on the windpipe. Any change in voice should be checked out by a doctor, but be aware that a hoarse voice could also be attributed to a cold, or being a smoker.

Another symptom is pain when swallowing food , with some sufferers complaining that it feels like something is stuck in their throat when they are eating. A lump or swelling in the neck should also be checked out immediately. Some laryngeal cancer patients also suffered from earache , while others had a shortness of breath , due to the cancer being located on the larynx, which is the entrance on the windpipe.

As with many types of cancer, unexplained weight loss is also a symptom, but this could be more common with laryngeal cancer as pain in the throat causes difficulty eating and swallowing. Anyone who has lost more than 5% of their body weight without trying should seek advice from their doctor.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

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