One of the reasons head and neck cancer is often diagnosed late is that its early symptoms resemble very common problems. A persistent hoarseness, a mouth sore that won’t heal, or difficulty swallowing rarely lead one to suspect a tumor at first.

But even though these symptoms usually have other causes, if they don’t go away, it’s important to see a doctor to determine their cause.

What You Should Know:

1. Any discomfort that lasts several weeks warrants a medical evaluation, even if it isn’t very painful.

2. Seeking medical attention early allows doctors to rule out more serious conditions or start treatment sooner.

3. Tobacco, alcohol, and certain types of HPV are major risk factors that can be prevented or reduced.

In many cases, these symptoms are attributed to a cold, a throat infection, a dental problem, or temporary irritation. This assumption leads some people to delay seeing a doctor, even when the symptoms persist or even worsen as the days go by.

“One of the main challenges with this disease is that some early signs may seem like minor discomforts or be mistaken for other conditions. A persistent symptom does not necessarily mean that cancer is present, but it should be evaluated to identify its cause and promptly rule out a more serious condition,” explained Dionisio Flores, an oncologist at Hospital Metropolitano.

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