Having a constant or persistent sore throat could be a sign of cancer, new research suggests.
Irritable symptoms such as a sore throat combined with shortness of breath, earache and trouble swallowing could point to cancer as being the cause, according to a study by the University of Exeter.
One of the study’s authors, Professor Willie Hamilton, said it is not just “any sore throat” the research is referring to but a substantial one that would require visiting a GP.
He told the BBC that it is the combination of persistent symptoms like sore throat, hoarseness and breathing or swallowing problems.
All symptoms could be signals of laryngeal cancer, which affects the larynx, a part of the throat found at the entrance of the windpipe.
Cancer Research UK’s Weilin Wu said: “A sore throat on its own wasn't linked to laryngeal cancer.
"But importantly, this study also provides the best evidence to date to support the current recommendation to refer older patients with persistent hoarseness."
The University’s research looked at patient records for more than 600 GP practices and studied 806 people diagnosed with cancer of the larynx.
The study was published in the British Journal of General Practice.
