KEY POINTS

  • Thousands of people are affected by head and neck cancers every year
  • Treatment would depend on how early you were able to detect symptoms
  • Know the symptoms so that you can find treatment right away

Head and neck cancers may not be as infamous as their counterparts like liver, lung, and prostate cancer, but they are as dangerous. These cancers could be debilitating, and it would always be best to detect their symptoms at the earliest so that you would also be able to afford yourself the right treatment.

head and neck cancer symptoms
head and neck cancer symptoms lum3n - Pixabay

Danger of Head and Neck Cancers

Around 12,000 individuals in the UK are diagnosed with head and neck cancers every year. Cancer Research UK also stated that the incidents have increased in huge numbers. The Swallows, a leading charity that deals with this kind of disease, divulged that the number of individuals that they were supporting quadrupled over the years. They never failed to reiterate how early detection of the symptoms could also mean higher survival of the disease.

Symptoms to Know

One of the primary symptoms of head and neck cancer is having constantly blocked ears. This is the feeling that you get when you are in a swimming pool, or you are diving. Aside from blocked ears, the other thing that you might feel would be a persistent earache. If you notice any of these signs and they don’t seem to go away, it would be best to consult your doctor right away.

More Things to Watch Out For

Aside from blocked ears and a persistent earache, another symptom of these types of cancers includes pain in the teeth, ulcers and sore gums. You might have seen white or red patches in your mouth, which is a telltale sign of these cancers. At times, there would be doctors who would advise you to see a dentist. However, the cause might be a cancerous lesion that is going, but which is easy to miss.

You may also need to be on the lookout for other symptoms like a sore throat, which lasts for more than 2 weeks. This raises a red flag, and it would always be best to seek a doctor immediately.

Feeling Tired

Having head and neck cancer would also make you feel so tired. Why? According to doctors, while a tumor is growing, it tends to sap your energy. A survivor of head and neck cancer, as reported by Express, said that he was falling asleep on the chair every time.