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Men over 65 face highest risk of little-known cancer that is often diagnosed late
Men over 65 face highest risk of little-known cancer that is often diagnosed late

Daily Record

time6 days ago

  • Health
  • Daily Record

Men over 65 face highest risk of little-known cancer that is often diagnosed late

Over half of the patients with this cancer are diagnosed at a late stage, when survival rates are lower. One type of cancer is most common in men over the age of 65, and it is too often diagnosed late due to a lack of awareness. In fact, you've probably never heard of this type of cancer that sees around 12,700 diagnoses in the UK each year, 70 per cent of which are in men. ‌ The Medical Negligence team for legal firm Simpson's Millar is urging older men to be aware of head and neck cancer, that sees over half of its cases (53 per cent) diagnosed late. Delayed diagnosis leads to more invasive treatment and a lower survival rate for this cancer that is 2.8 times more likely to affect men aged 65 - 69 than women of the same age. ‌ Head and neck cancer affects the throat, nose and mouth, and its symptoms can often be brushed off or ignored. This is why awareness of this little-known disease is so important. ‌ Kate McCue, Senior Associate Medical Negligence Solicitor at Simpson Millar, explains: 'Head and neck cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer we see, which makes awareness all the more important. 'Many of the risks such as smoking, alcohol use, and HPV are well understood, yet the public conversation around them is still far too limited. With better education, more people could take steps to reduce their risk, and crucially, spot early warning signs before the disease progresses. 'When cancer is caught early, the outcomes are often significantly better as it can mean simpler treatment, less disruption to the day-to-day life, and a better chance of recovery.' ‌ When caught early, head and neck cancer has a survival rate of up to 80 per cent. But if diagnosed late, the chances of survival can drop to just 20 per cent, so knowing how to spot the signs is crucial. Symptoms of head and neck cancer ‌ Older men should watch for the following symptoms: Mouth ulcers or sores that haven't healed after three weeks A persistent sore throat or hoarseness A lump in the neck, lip or mouth Difficulty or pain when chewing or swallowing Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit Earache, facial pain or numbness Speech changes or unexplained weight loss Making healthier lifestyle choices, such as stopping smoking, drinking less, exercising regularly and opting for a balanced diet can reduce the risks of head and neck cancer. Risk factors for head and neck cancer While men over 65 have the biggest risk of developing the condition, certain lifestyle choices and other health factors can also increase the chances that an individual will develop head and neck cancer. Cancer Research shares an extensive list of the risk factors for head and neck cancer on their website. These include: Age and sex (men over 65 being at the highest risk) Smoking Drinking alcohol Infections including HPV, EBV and HIV or AIDS Autoimmune conditions Those who have had organ transplants High processed meat intake Those who have previously had cancer Those with a family history of cancer Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

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