Many people would quickly dismiss the red flags as something common – but there’s a chance it’s serious
People who have been suffering from a long-term sore throat should have a doctor check it’s not cancer. Whilst rare, there’s a chance this common illness might be a warning sign of something much more serious that cannot be ignored.
Although thyroid cancer is “quite rare” in the UK, there are still around 4,000 new cases diagnosed each year – and it’s more common in women than in men. It’s crucial to be aware of the symptoms, which can be mistaken for other conditions, including:
- a lump in your neck
- a hoarse voice that lasts for more than 3 weeks
- a sore throat that does not get better
Knowing what to look out for can help you act quickly and get treatment early. These signs could just as likely be caused by other medical conditions but it’s important to get any symptoms checked out by your GP to rule out this possibility.
The NHS added to this list with more symptoms that may be harder to spot on their own as one bigger issue such as a red face (flushing), softer poos or diarrhoea and weight loss that’s unexplained.
The health trust’s website states: “If you have a thyroid condition, such as a goitre (swollen thyroid), you may get symptoms like these regularly. You might find you get used to them. But it’s important to be checked by a GP if your symptoms change, get worse, or do not feel normal for you.”
If you experience difficulty swallowing, or have pain in the front of your neck – like something is pressing against your neck – then it’s important not to ignore these red flags. Having them does not definitely mean you have thyroid cancer but confirming a case as soon as possible may mean it’s easier to treat.
You should schedule an appointment with your GP. The doctor may feel your neck and might arrange for you to have a blood test.
You may get an urgent referral for more tests or to see a specialist in the hospital if the GP thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer. The health trust stressed that people should not assume the worst if this happens as it “does not definitely mean you have cancer.”
What can cause thyroid cancer?
Anyone can get thyroid cancer and it’s not always clear what causes it. According to the NHS, some common factors among patients with thyroid cancer include:
- women who have not been through the menopause
- you have a condition that affects the thyroid
- you have a close relative (sibling, parent or child who has had thyroid cancer)
- you were exposed to a lot of radiation or had radiotherapy treatment in the past
- you’ve had certain cancers before such as breast, oesophageal, testicular cancer or non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Many thyroid cancers are also linked to your lifestyle. You cannot always prevent thyroid cancer but making healthy changes can lower your chances of getting it and other types of cancer.
Experts recommend losing weight, quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol. All of this help massively with your overall health – not just when it comes to preventing cancer.