THERE are some common cancer symptoms which everyone is aware of.
A general feeling of fatigue or unusual lumps and bumps are well documented and understood signs of the deadly disease.
But having a husky voice is another common symptom of a mouth cancer which is on the rise in the UK.
Your voice may become huskier or quieter and sound like you have a cold, especially if the cancer is near the back of your throat, according to charity Cancer Research UK.
This can be a sign of hypopharynx cancer – a rare form of the disease.
Rates of mouth cancer have doubled in the last generation, with 8,864 cases being diagnosed last year.
Data from the Oral Health Foundation shows that this is an increase of 34 per cent compared to ten years ago.
This figure has also doubled within the last generation and experts are now urging people to become aware of the deadly condition.
Medics believe sexually transmitted infections, like the human papillomavirus (HPV), caught through oral sex are driving the increase in cases.
Around 3,034 people in the UK lost their life to mouth cancer last year – a rise of 20 per cent in the last five years.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation said it’s key that people recognise the signs, and see their GP if they think something isn’t right.
There are seven common symptoms of mouth cancer to watch out for, according to the cancer charity.
- ulcers that don’t heal
- pain in your mouth
- red or white patches in your mouth or throat
- difficulty swallowing
- a lump in your neck
- weight loss
- bad breath
Dr Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, says getting into a routine of checking for signs of mouth cancer at home is crucial.
“Late diagnosis of mouth cancer is becoming all too common, and this will have a severe effect on a person’s quality of life and their chances of survival.”
