Warning over jump in head and neck cancers
Number of sufferers in Lanarkshire has skyrocketed
EDEL KENEALY
People across Lanarkshire are being urged to remain vigilant of the signs of head and neck cancers as rates of the disease have rocketed.
A shock new report shows that 186 people were given treatment by NHS Lanarkshire in 2017 after being diagnosed with a head or neck cancer.
The previous year the number of head and neck cancer patients was 123 – which equates to a yearon-year increase of 51 per cent.
And while lung cancer has affected more people in Lanarkshire than any other type of cancer for the past 25 years, brain and neck cancers are now the fifth most common type of the disease in the region.
Professor Mark McGurk, cofounder of the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation (HNCF), said that head and neck cancers are becoming more prevalent in young people.
He explained: “Over the last few years, there has been a slight fall in head and neck cancers in the older population but an increase in younger patients.
“In particular, there is a rise in oropharyngeal cancer which is predicted to be the most common head and neck cancer in 20 years’ time.
“Pain with unilateral earache is the cardinal symptom. Also, palpation and finding a hard lump is another giveaway. These cancers tend to spread early and may present as a lump in the neck. A needle biopsy will give the diagnosis.
“A delay in diagnosis is a feature of oropharyngeal cancers because they are not easy to see.
“Diagnosis isn’t straight forward and can be easily missed by GPs, but it is not really their fault.
“In younger patients, one does not jump to oral cancer as the first explanation.
“Traditionally it has been those aged over 60 with smoking and drinking habits.”
A total of 3951 cancer diagnoses were made in the Lanarkshire area in 2017, a rise of 36 on the previous year.
Of the 39 different types of cancer listed, the 10 most common in 2017 were: Lung, 692; breast, 606; colorectal, 449; prostate, 407; head and neck, 186; skin (malignant melanoma), 155; kidney, 134; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 120; Oesophagus, 107 and bladder, 103.
Gordon Matheson, of Cancer Research UK, said: “While there are many reasons why we’re seeing more people develop cancer, including an ageing population, there’s much that people can do to stack the odds in their favour.
“Smoking remains the number one preventable cause of cancer, followed by carrying too much weight which is linked to 13 types of the disease.” He added: “Almost a third of calories in Scotland are purchased via multibuy offers such as three for two on megasized chocolate bars or fizzy drinks.
“In the fight against cancer, it’s crucial that the Scottish Government commits to new laws to restrict supermarket price promotions on junk food as soon as possible.
“Taking action on obesity like this will make it easier for people to do a healthier shop and help turn the tide on obesity.”
In 2017, approximately 32,200 people were diagnosed with cancer in Scotland – 16,400 females and around 15,900 males. Over the last decade the number of cases has increased by around 3,300.