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Heart Radio presenter Jamie Theakston has revealed he has stage one laryngeal cancer.
The 53-year-old told his fans on Instagram that he booked a doctors appointment after listeners noticed there was something not quite right with his voice.
Cancer affects the larynx, also known as the voice box, which is located at the entrance to the trachea and is vital for speaking and breathing.
It affects more than 2,000 people each year in the UK and is more common in men over 60 than women, according to the NHS.
For many people like Theakston, the first noticeable symptom is a sore throat, but experts warn that earache is a lesser-known warning sign.
Here, Mailonline reveals the warning signs of laryngeal cancer.
Jamie Theakston revealed on Instagram that he booked a doctors appointment after listeners noticed there was something wrong with his voice.
Jamie Theakston revealed he has cancer on Tuesday and said he will take a break from his work on Heart Radio while his co-star Amanda Holden gave a health update.
For many people like Theakston, the first noticeable symptom is a sore throat, but experts warn that earache is a lesser-known warning sign.
A hoarse voice
A hoarse or raspy voice that persists for more than three weeks should be examined by a doctor, as it could be cancer of the larynx.
It is one of the most common symptoms of cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
But many other things can cause a hoarse voice, such as a cold or shouting too much.
Smoking can also make your voice sound hoarse because it irritates the mucous membranes lining your throat.
It hurts to swallow
Difficulty swallowing food is another common symptom.
Some people report feeling as if something is stuck in their throat or that food is stuck in their throat.
Others may notice a burning sensation when swallowing.
However, Cancer Research UK also warns that seeing a lump or swelling in the neck is also a sign to visit a doctor.
Jamie previously appeared on Heart FM with Spice Girl singer Emma Bunton.
On September 1, he shared this post thanking listeners for spotting something wrong with his voice, which prompted them to quickly review it.
The couple welcomed their first child, Sidney, in April 2008, before having their second child, Kit, in September 2009.
Earache
Although most laryngeal cancer causes throat pain, many people also report earache, Cancer Research UK warns.
This is because the nerves in the head and neck are connected.
As a result, the pain may become referred and cause ear pain.
Difficulty breathing
Because the larynx is located at the entrance to the trachea, cancer in this area can make breathing difficult.
In some cases, people may have a cough that doesn’t go away or their breathing may become more labored or noisy.
But shortness of breath is a serious symptom that should not be ignored, Cancer Research warns.
Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss is a common symptom in many types of cancer.
But in laryngeal cancer it could be a direct cause of not eating enough.
This could be because you feel pain when eating and swallowing.
If you unintentionally lose more than five percent of your normal body weight, or more than 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in less than a year, you should see your doctor, experts advise.
However, it could also be caused by cachexia.
Cachexia, also known as wasting syndrome, is a potential symptom of cancer and causes extreme loss of muscle and fat mass, according to Cancer Research UK.
People with early-stage cancer do not usually suffer from cachexia, but up to four in five people with advanced cancer develop some degree of cachexia, the charity explained.
In the case of cancer, it is believed to be caused by inflammation.
This is because inflammation can promote muscle wasting, and a tumor can rob the rest of the body of energy.
Inflammation has also been linked to muscle loss because it causes proteins to break down faster than they are produced. This is because cancer can damage mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for converting nutrients into energy.
