Brits are being urged to be vigilant about the earliest warning signs and symptoms of tumours in their head and neck, as this type of cancer is rapidly becoming “one of the world’s fastest-growing”. Dr Jiri Kubes, medical director at Proton Therapy Center, highlighted that this increase is particularly prevalent among young people.
Tumours and cancer can develop in 30 different areas around the head and neck, including the tongue, voice box, throat and sinuses. With an estimated 12,000 people in the UK now being diagnosed with head and neck cancers each year, Cancer Research UK has revealed these rates have increased by a third since the 1990s.
Dr Kubes suggested that the rise in tumours could be partially related to the HPV infection, which rarely shows symptoms. The expert labelled this increase of virus-induced head and neck cancers a “worrying trend” but noted people have a better chance for treatment and survival if they get an early enough diagnosis, which largely depends on people recognising the early symptoms.
Dr Kubes warned: “Some of the early head and neck cancer symptoms can easily be mistaken for other common ailments, so it’s important to be aware of any changes to your body and address any concerns.”
His top symptom to watch out for is a persistent sore throat that lasts more than two weeks, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Experiencing sore gums, painful teeth, ulcers or white or red patches around your mouth could be “tell-tale signs” of cancer. Swelling in parts of the neck or “resistance when touching a part of the neck”, as well as persistently blocked ears or earache are also key symptoms.
The doctor emphasised: “While having any of these symptoms does not necessarily need to be a cause for alarm, it’s vital that if you suspect something is not right that you see your doctor.”
He pointed out that an early diagnosis can offer a survival rate as high as 90%, while late diagnosis could result in survival rates of just 40%.