Red flag warning symptom in your throat could be silent killer condition

Brits are being alerted to a potential red flag symptom of a deadly disease that might be overlooked as a minor ailment.

Health professionals have highlighted that experiencing pain in the throat could signal a prevalent form of cancer. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma ranks as the UK's sixth most common cancer, yet its symptoms are less familiar compared to other cancers.

Additionally, it stands as the 11th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, claiming approximately 4,900 lives annually.

The NHS describes non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a condition that arises within the lymphatic system, which comprises a vast network of vessels and glands throughout the body.

Consequently, the most noticeable signs of this illness often involve the lymph nodes, which may swell in areas such as the neck, groin, or armpit if cancer is present, reports the Express.

This swelling occurs when a type of white blood cell, called lymphocytes, accumulates in a lymph node.

In certain instances, an early indicator of the disease might also include a sore throat. Healthline notes that this is contingent on "where the cancer starts".

Medical News Today further indicates that a sore throat coupled with swollen lymph glands could point to a "serious" medical condition like lymphoma.

Nevertheless, it's common for individuals to mistake a sore throat as just a sign of a cold or flu.

Graeme Stirling, 62, from Dunfermline in Scotland, initially experienced a sore throat in 2020 and didn't think much of it. However, when this developed into a lump in his throat, the father-of-three sought advice from his GP.

As we reported, this turned out to be a swollen lymph node caused by non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He said: "I didn't think anything about my health to be honest because I was still fine and healthy, but I woke up with a sore throat."

Fortunately, Graeme's cancer was detected early enough and after three months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, he was declared cancer-free.

While a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes are warning signs of the disease, the NHS advises that these do not necessarily mean you have the disease as these glands "often swell as a response to infection".

Other signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can include:

• Night sweats

• Unintentional weight loss

• A high temperature (fever)

• Feelings of breathlessness

• Persistent itching of the skin all over the body

Other signs of non-Hodgkin lymphoma can include other symptoms depending on where in the body the enlarged lymph glands are (for example, swollen tonsils, a lump in the tummy, or skin rashes).

A few people with lymphoma have abnormal cells in their bone marrow when they're diagnosed. This may lead to other symptoms, such as:

• Persistent tiredness or fatigue

• An increased risk of infections

• Excessive bleeding, such as nosebleeds, heavy periods and spots of blood under the skin

The NHS says you should see a GP if you have any of these symptoms, "particularly" if you have swollen glands that do not go away after six weeks.

"While these symptoms are unlikely to be caused by non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it's best to get them checked out," the health body adds.

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