A little known symptom of the UK’s fastest growing cancer can be spotted when you talk. Cancer Research UK figures show in the UK there are more than 4,000 people diagnosed with thyroid cancer every year.
While more than eight in 10 will survive it still kills 405 people in an average year. And the number of cases are growing.
According to the charity throid cancer is the UK’s fastest growing cancer. It warned: “Thyroid cancer has shown the fastest increase in incidence over the past decade in the UK in females (61%) and males (64%), followed by liver cancer (36% in females and 44% in males), within the current 20 most common UK cancers in females and males.”
But early detection, as with most cancers, boost the chance of successful treatment. So it is important to know what to look out for.
And one lesser-known signs can be a hoarse voice. And while the charity says it is more likely to be caused by a bacterial or viral infection if it goes on for longer than three weeks you should get it checked out with your GP.
According to the NHS the cancer remains quite rare in the UK and is more likely to affect women than men. It explains: “Thyroid cancer is cancer that’s found in the thyroid gland – a small gland in the front, lower part of your neck.
“It makes and releases hormones that help with things like your digestion, muscles and heart. How serious thyroid cancer is depends on the type of thyroid cancer, how big it is, if it has spread and your general health.”
Symptoms
There are five main symptoms which warn of the disease. These can include:
- a lump in the front, lower part of your neck – the lump usually feels hard, slowly gets bigger and is not painful
- a hoarse voice
- a sore throat
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- pain in the front of your neck, or a feeling like something is pressing against your neck
Other symptoms can include:
- a red face (flushing) – this may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- softer poos or diarrhoea
- weight loss
- a cough
However it warns: “These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions. Having them does not definitely mean you have thyroid cancer.
“But it’s important to get them checked by a GP. This is because if they’re caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it’s easier to treat.”
When to see a GP
See a GP if:
- you have a lump in your neck – either a new lump or an existing lump that’s getting bigger
- you’ve had a hoarse voice, sore throat or cough for more than 3 weeks
- you have pain in the front of your neck, or a feeling like something is pressing against your neck
Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if:
- you’re having difficulty swallowing or breathing
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.