How common is laryngeal cancer? Jamie Theakston shares stage 1 diagnosis
Radio presenter Jamie Theakston has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer, following an operation on his vocal cords.
The Heart Radio host, who presents weekday breakfast shows alongside Amanda Holden, shared a statement on Instagram and reassured fans that his prognosis is "very positive".
He said: "As you know - I recently had an operation to remove a lesion on my vocal cords. The biopsy has identified this as stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
"So… I have cancer… but cancer doesn’t have me! The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October."
While Theakston remains on vocal rest, his position on the show will be filled by Jason King. He added in his post: "Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next, I’ll have a great story to tell."
Earlier in September, Theakston thanked listeners for noticing and pointing out that his voice sounded different, which prompted him to see his doctor and discover the lesion on his vocal cords.
How common is laryngeal cancer?
According to Cancer Research UK, there are more than 2,000 new cases of laryngeal cancer in the UK each year.
The NHS states that the condition is more common in people over the age of 60, and in men compared to women.
Laryngeal cancer is a rare cancer that starts in the larynx, also known as the voice box.
It is part of the wider grouping of head and neck cancers, of which there are around 12,800 new cases in the UK every year.
Symptoms of laryngeal cancer
One of the symptoms of laryngeal cancer is a change in voice, such as sounding hoarse. Other symptoms include:
Pain when swallowing or difficulty swallowing
A lump or swelling in the neck
A long-lasting cough or breathlessness
A persistent sore throat or earache
A high-pitched wheezing noise when you breathe
Difficulty breathing (in severe cases)
The NHS says that some people may also experience bad breath, unintentional weight loss, or fatigue.
When to get help
If you have had a hoarse voice for more than three weeks, you should see your GP. The symptoms are often caused by less serious conditions, but the NHS encourages people to get them checked out.
Your GP can refer you to a hospital specialist for further tests to confirm or rule out cancer.
Most laryngeal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, which means the outlook is generally better than some other types of cancer.
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Doctors warn of cancer 'epidemic' among under-50s like Princess of Wales (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
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