'I'm a cancer doctor - never ignore this common red flag that lasts 3 weeks'
A cancer doctor has urged people to never ignore a common symptom if it lasts three weeks. You may not realise that this lingering sign could indicate a deadly disease.
Dr Jiri Kubes, medical director at the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague, explained that a persistent sore throat could be a sign of something far more serious than a lingering cold. While most sore throats are caused by viruses or allergies, Dr Kubes said some cases may point to early signs of head or neck cancer.
This is especially concerning if the sore throat lingers for more than three weeks, he said. However, this is often missed as people don't realise how serious it could be.
'People assume it's just an infection or acid reflux, especially if they're otherwise healthy,' Dr Kubes said. 'But when a sore throat won't go away - and it doesn't respond to normal treatments - it's time to investigate.'
According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, there are around 12,800 new head and neck cancer cases in the UK every year making it the eighth most common form of cancer. The name covers a range of different types of cancer that can appear in the head and neck, including throat, laryngeal, and mouth cancer.
Symptoms
Dr Kubes said early signs of head and neck cancer are often vague - including hoarseness, a constant sore throat, difficulty swallowing, or the feeling of something stuck in the throat.
'These symptoms can be subtle, which is why they're often missed,' he explained. 'If you've had a sore throat for more than three weeks, especially if it's on one side, or you have ear pain without an infection, speak to your GP.'
He added that people who smoke or drink regularly are at higher risk - but even non-smokers can be affected. 'We're seeing rising cases in younger people with no obvious risk factors - particularly linked to HPV infections,' Dr Kubes said.
He stressed that a sore throat doesn't mean you have cancer - but urges people to trust their instincts if something doesn't feel right. Dr Kubes said: 'Most sore throats are harmless - but if it drags on, get it checked.
'Cancers in this area are very treatable when caught early, especially with targeted therapies like proton beam treatment.'
Dr Kubes recommended speaking to a doctor if your sore throat:
Lasts more than three weeks
Comes with unexplained ear pain
Causes changes to your voice
Makes swallowing difficult
Comes with a lump in the neck or weight loss
'You know your body best,' he added. 'If something feels off - act on it.'
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