Health bodies have warned that a red flag warning sign of a deadly disease could appear while speaking. According to experts, a hoarse or croaky voice could be a symptom of cancer.
There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. The disease occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide, spreading to healthy tissue and organs.
As with any disease, the sooner you spot the signs, the sooner you can get the treatment you need and increase your chances of recovery. But as there are so many forms of the disease, there are so many potential symptoms.
A croaky voice or hoarseness is one such symptom. Cancer Research UK lists it as one of the important general signs of cancer to look for.
However, the charity stipulates that this will generally be caused by something less serious, unless it persists for a long time. It says: “Having a croaky voice or feeling hoarse can be common with colds. But a croaky or hoarse voice that hasn’t gone away should be checked out.”
A hoarse voice is one symptom of laryngeal cancer, which starts in the voice box. Cancer Research UK says: “Having a hoarse voice for more than three weeks is one of the most common symptoms of laryngeal cancer.”
Other signs of this disease to look for include:
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Shortness of breath or a cough that does not go away
- A lump or swelling in the throat or neck
- Weight loss.
The charity adds: “If you have any of these symptoms, you must get them checked by your GP. But remember, they can all be caused by other conditions.”
Lung cancer, which is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK, can also result in a hoarse voice. The NHS lists it as a potential sign that the disease has progressed.
“There are usually no signs or symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages,” the health body says. “Symptoms develop as the condition progresses.”
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Other symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away after three weeks
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent breathlessness
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
- Wheezing
- Swelling of your face or neck
- Persistent chest or shoulder pain.
But it is important to remember that many other things can cause a hoarse voice. These include laryngitis, a cold, overuse of the voice, smoking, acid reflux, allergies, thyroid problems, and injury.
A hoarse voice could also be a sign of mouth cancer, which can affect any part of your mouth including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips.
