A leading oncologist has urged people to take note of a surprising symptom that could point to one of the fastest-growing cancers in the world: head and neck cancer.
While cancer diagnoses are rising among younger adults, experts continue to investigate the causes behind this troubling trend. In the meantime, early detection remains the most powerful tool for increasing survival rates.
Dr. Jiri Kubes, an oncologist at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, says awareness around head and neck cancers remains dangerously low, despite nearly 13,000 cases being diagnosed every year in the UK alone.
“Early diagnosis is absolutely crucial,” Dr. Kubes told The Mirror. “The sooner we can identify head and neck cancer, the better the outcome.”
One unusual red flag? Persistent blocked ears.
“This is similar to the sensation you get after swimming, like your ear just won’t clear,” the doctor explained. “Stubborn earache may also suggest a tumour in that region.”
Other subtle symptoms include:
- Mouth ulcers or sore gums that don’t heal
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Pain in the teeth
- A sore throat lasting more than two weeks
- Changes in voice or ongoing hoarseness
“These might seem minor, but they shouldn’t be ignored,” Dr. Kubes said. “An ulcer, for example, could actually be a cancerous lesion. If something feels off, see your GP.”
The warning follows a similar alert from Dr. Suhail Hussain, who cautioned that night sweats, often dismissed during warm weather, could be an early sign of leukaemia or lymphoma, two types of blood cancer.
“People often chalk up night sweats to heat or stress,” Dr. Hussain said, “but frequent episodes could point to something more serious.”
Leukaemia affects bone marrow, while lymphoma targets the lymphatic system. Both can show subtle signs before more serious symptoms emerge.
Experts stress that these signs don’t always mean cancer, but if something lingers or doesn’t feel right, it’s always safest to check with a medical professional.
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