These Signs Often Aren’t Serious, but if They Linger, Get Them Checked Out To Be Sure
It's easy to brush off a sore throat or swollen gland. Maybe you assume you're coming down with a cold or think it's allergies. And most of the time, you're probably right. But when a lump sticks around or your voice sounds hoarse for weeks, it's worth paying closer attention since it could be a sign of head and neck cancer.
What is head and neck cancer?
Cancers that start in areas like the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses or salivary glands are typically referred to as head and neck cancer. The American Cancer Society® reports that tens of thousands of people in the U.S. are diagnosed with these cancers each year. Men are more likely than women to develop them and most cases happen after age 50. Smoking and other forms of tobacco use are major risk factors. Heavy alcohol use also increases risk. In recent years, human papillomavirus, or HPV, has also become a leading cause of certain throat cancers, especially in younger adults.
Symptoms of head and neck cancer
If you notice these signs, it's recommended that you get them checked out by a doctor. They may not mean you have cancer, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
- A lump that doesn't shrink. One of the most common warning signs is a lump in the neck, which is often due to a swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes can swell when you have an infection, but they usually go back to normal within a couple of weeks. If a lump lasts longer than two to three weeks, keeps growing or feels firm and painless, it shouldn't be ignored.
- Sores or color changes in the mouth. A mouth sore that won't heal is another red flag. You might also notice white or red patches on your tongue, gums or the inside of your cheeks. These spots don't always hurt, which makes them easy to overlook. That's one reason regular dental checkups are important. Dentists often catch early changes before you notice them.
- A sore throat or hoarse voice that lingers. We've all had sore throats. But if yours hangs on for weeks, it's time to see a doctor. The same goes for hoarseness that lingers. Cancer of the voice box can make your voice sound raspy or weaker than usual. Some people also feel like something is stuck in their throat or have trouble swallowing.
- Ear pain or ongoing sinus trouble. Sometimes symptoms are less obvious. Pain in one ear without signs of an infection can be linked to throat cancer. Frequent nosebleeds, constant congestion on one side of the nose or numbness in part of the face are also symptoms that shouldn't be brushed aside.
When should you get checked?
If a symptom in your head or neck lasts longer than two to three weeks, get it checked. That's especially important if you smoke, drink heavily or know you've been exposed to HPV. Most of the time, these symptoms are caused by infections or other noncancerous problems. But if it's cancer, catching it early can make a difference. Early-stage head and neck cancers are often easier to treat and may require less aggressive therapy.
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