Health experts have raised awareness of the symptoms everyone should look out for that could be a sign of a rare cancer, and some of the symptoms could be easily dismissed
Medical professionals are highlighting warning signs of a rare cancer that many individuals might dismiss.
They warn that these symptoms could signal that someone has developed head or neck cancer. Healthcare workers are now raising awareness indicators to prompt more individuals to seek medical attention if they experience persistent problems.
Warning signs can encompass issues people might consider routine or harmless, such as a continuing sore throat, mouth sores that refuse to heal, or a blocked nose on just one side. It comes after a man, 30, puts shoulder pain down to gym aches, then doctors ask where he’d like to die.
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These symptoms can represent problems linked with common colds, meaning people might not realise they’re facing something far more serious. Should symptoms persist beyond two or three weeks, it’s crucial to consult a GP, reports Birmingham Live.
Experts say symptoms can include:
- Persistent sore throat
- Mouth ulcers that don’t heal
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- A lump in the neck or mouth
- Changes in voice or speech
- Swelling or thickening in the cheek
- Loose teeth with no obvious cause
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ear pain or hearing problems
- A blocked nose on one side only
- Numbness in the tongue or lips
- White or red patches in the mouth
Kate McCue, senior associate solicitor at Simpson Millar, shared: “When it comes to head and neck cancer, timing really does make all the difference.
“Catching it early can lead to much better outcomes, not just in terms of survival, but also in how intensive the treatment needs to be, how long recovery takes, and what quality of life looks like after treatment.”
She added: “If any of these symptoms last more than two to three weeks, or get worse over time, speak to your GP or dentist. You might be referred to a specialist within two weeks and this is called an urgent referral, and it’s designed to make sure anything serious is picked up quickly.
“If you feel something is wrong, push for further testing so that you’re comfortable that your warning signs and symptoms are being taken seriously.
“Too often, late diagnosis isn’t just down to bad luck but a reflection of structural barriers that can and should be addressed. If we want to reduce avoidable deaths from head and neck cancer, we need to fix the system.
“That means better access to GP and dental services, more targeted public health outreach, and making early diagnosis the norm.”
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