It is impossible to talk about throat cancer without discussing its prevention. It is simple and obvious: you have to quit smoking. Not easy, but doable (see our Smoking sheet).

One of the first symptoms of throat cancer is often a change in voice, pain when swallowing, or swelling in the neck area. A doctor should therefore be consulted quickly if these symptoms persist for more than 2 or 3 weeks. Most often, on examination, the doctor discovers that these symptoms are due to a disease other than cancer, for example, a benign polyp on a vocal cord. But when it comes to cancer, it’s important to find out as early as possible. Detected in its early stages, throat cancer is treated much more effectively and leaves fewer consequences.