A leading lung health specialist has warned against ruling out a common winter health problem as it could indicate an underlying cancer.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the UK, responsible for a fifth of cancer deaths in the country, according to Cancer Research UK.
While many associate a persistent cough with the illness, Dr. MeiLan Han, a professor of pulmonary care at the University of Michigan, advises keeping an eye out for a lesser-known throat problem: a hoarse voice.
In his book, Breathing Lessons: A Medical Guide to Lung Health, he explained: “This is because the cancer affects or invades the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which descends into the thoracic cavity, under the arch of the aorta, and returns.” . to the larynx (the voice box).
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation also warns about this symptom.
“In most cases, the problem goes away on its own after a short period of time,” the charity says. “However, if you experience longer episodes of hoarseness, you should contact your GP.”
The charity warns of other less common signs of the disease to look out for, such as chest or shoulder pain, difficulty swallowing and even back pain.
According to the UK Lung Cancer Coalition, around 40 per cent of patients are only diagnosed when the disease becomes so severe that they have to go to A&E, which usually means the cancer has spread.
Having trouble with a hoarse voice over a long period of time could be a sign of underlying lung cancer, experts have warned.
Once the disease spreads to other parts of the body, patients have only a 15 percent chance of surviving for more than five years after diagnosis.
Figures from Cancer Research UK show that only one in 10 of those diagnosed with the disease will live a decade.
Experts say this is precisely why it’s crucial to spot the early signs. Patients who find lung cancer in early stages have a 65 percent chance of living five years.
The charity adds: ‘The type of cancer can also affect survival. The type means what type of cell the cancer started from.
‘Your general health and physical condition also affect survival. The fitter you are, the better you will be able to cope with cancer and treatment.’
Other more common signs of lung cancer include a persistent cough, feeling short of breath, and repeated respiratory infections.
Previous UK screening programs have shown that early identification of the disease can dramatically improve lung cancer survival.
In 2016, doctors at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Papworth Hospital and the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital carried out a pioneering trial which involved x-raying 2,000 people at high risk of lung cancer.
Lung cancer expert Dr MeiLan Han previously warned of the disease’s “greater impact” on women compared to men.
The results of the study found that controlling this group of patients increased the survival rate by 73 percent.
The study triggered action by the Conservative government, which pledged to introduce a national lung screening program in England, involving people aged 55 to 74 with a history of smoking.
According to Cancer Research UK, the rollout is still scheduled to go ahead, and the program plans reach 40 percent of the eligible population by 2025 and achieve 100 percent coverage by March 2030.
However, experts have expressed some concern that screening will not benefit younger people with the disease, whose numbers are increasing.
Lung cancer in UK non-smokers doubled between 2008 and 2014, according to a 2017 study.
Another 2023 report from the American Cancer Society found that more women ages 35 to 54 are now diagnosed with lung cancer than men of the same age.
Meanwhile, lung cancer doctors in the United States have reported an increasingly younger number of cases.
One theory about the increase in cases among young people is related to exposure to pollutants.
A recent Canadian study found that those who were exposed to high levels of pollution throughout their lives are more likely to develop genetic mutations known to increase the risk of aggressive lung cancers.
Commenting on their findings, the authors, from the British Columbia Cancer Research Institute in Vancouver, said: “This suggests a potential impact of recent exposure to PM2.5 (particulate pollution) on lung cancer in people never smoked, particularly among women.