Early diagnosis is critical because, as with all cancers, delayed treatment means a much lower survival rate.
Living with cancer of the throat is extremely challenging, and even successful treatment can result in a reduced quality of life.
Recognising the warning symptoms of throat cancer could save your voice, your ability to breathe and eat normally, and, ultimately, your life. Throat cancer signs vary, depending on where the cancer is located; however, common signs include:
If any of the above signs of throat cancer are persistent, severe, and unusual for you, have them checked by a medical professional. Get a second opinion if your doctor dismisses your symptoms and the problem doesn’t go away.
Throat cancer is on the increase in New Zealand. Although we do not know exactly what causes the disease, there are certain risk factors to be aware of. They include:
It’s important to remember that these risk factors are not the only precursors to throat cancer. Your age, general health, genetics, family history, and other lifestyle choices may also play a part.
Your doctor will make a physical examination of the throat region making a note of any unusual lumps or swollen areas. Blood tests can highlight signs of inflammation or other abnormalities. Your doctor may then recommend additional tests such as:
Once doctors have made a cancer of the throat diagnosis, they will identify the specific stage of the disease. Throat cancer staging classifies your cancer on its size and how far it has spread. This information will help guide your medical team on choosing the best treatment options.
A basic outline of each throat cancer stage looks like:
There are a number of throat cancer treatment options available, depending on the stage of the tumour and where it started. Aspects such as your general health and age are also factored in. Your doctors and medical team will discuss the alternatives, and make a plan to eliminate the cancer while retaining as much of your normal throat function as possible.
Doctors use high-energy particle beams to destroy the tumour. Radiotherapy can be used on its own to treat small, early cancers; or combined with surgery and chemotherapy for larger, more invasive cancers. It can be helpful in reducing the symptoms of advanced cancers.
Anti-cancer drugs destroy rapidly growing cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often combined with radiotherapy, and can also be used to reduce the size of the tumour before surgery.
It’s difficult to find up-to-date figures for the survival rates of this disease in New Zealand. In Australia, five-year survival statistics for all head, neck, and throat cancers sit at around 70%.
Given that Australia outperforms New Zealand in many positive cancer outcomes, the stats are likely to be lower for Kiwis. Shortfalls in staffing and funding in New Zealand’s public health system mean long wait times for tests and specialist consultations. As with any cancer, early diagnosis is vital, yet recently, Counties Manukau District Health Board took nearly 12 months to follow up on an irregular throat scan. The patient was then diagnosed with throat cancer.
Current research highlights three factors that may decrease your risk of developing throat cancer.
Making healthy lifestyle choices can improve your chances of avoiding many types of cancer. Why not start now?
You may not have throat cancer but that’s no guarantee it won’t happen to you or someone you love. Think about how health insurance can prepare you for the possibility.
And not all health insurance plans are the same. Some plans only pay for a tiny fraction of your treatment expenses.
Don’t let this happen to you. When buying health insurance, talk to a Policywise adviser about maximum benefit amounts for cancer treatments, non-Pharmac cover, inclusions, and any exclusions.
We provide clear, easy-to-understand plan comparisons from different insurers so you can choose the policy with the best cover. Our service is free - and it might just change your life for the better.