Cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. It can then spread to surrounding tissues and organs.
There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body, with the symptoms often linked to where in the body the disease is.
However, symptoms can also be subtle and easily mistaken for signs of something less serious.
According to one expert, a sore throat is one such symptom.
If this sign is “persistent” it could be caused by head and neck cancer, a doctor said.
Speaking with Express.co.uk, Doctor Jiri Kubes – medical director of leading cancer treatment facility Proton Therapy Centre, explained more.
He said: “Head and neck cancer is the one of the fastest-growing types of cancer in the world and an early diagnosis can make a major difference to the chances of defeating it.
“Some of the early symptoms can easily be mistaken for other common ailments, so it’s important to be aware of any changes to your body and address any concerns.”
If your sore throat lasts more than two weeks it might be time to get it checked out, he said.
“A persistent sore throat that lasts more than two weeks is one of the lesser-known symptoms of head and neck cancer,” Dr Kubes said.
He listed some other red flag signs of the disease to spot.
He said: “Sore gums, ulcers and pain in your teeth, white or red patches in the mouth can also be tell-tale signs.
“Another common early symptom is persistently blocked ears or persistent earache.
“And swelling in part of the neck, or some resistance when touching a part of the neck, could also be an indicator.”
Although these are potential signs of head and neck cancer he emphasised that they are more likely linked to something less serious.
Dr Kubes said: “While having any of these symptoms does not necessarily need to be a cause for alarm, it’s vital that if you suspect something is not right that you see your doctor.”
Every year around 12,000 people in Britain are diagnosed with head and neck cancers.
Cancer Research UK reports that incidence rates of the disease have increased by a third since the early 1990s.
Experts say there’s currently a 90 percent chance you’ll survive head and neck cancer if you’re diagnosed early.
If you’re diagnosed late, this can go down as low as 40 percent.
According to the NHS, there are more than 30 areas within the head and neck where cancer can develop, including the:
- Mouth and lips
- Voice box (larynx)
- Throat (pharynx)
- Salivary glands
- Nose and sinuses
- Area at the back of the nose and mouth (nasopharynx).