Heart Radio presenter Jamie Theakston has revealed he has stage one laryngeal cancer.
The 53-year-old told fans on Instagram that he booked an appointment with doctors after listeners had noticed there was something not quite right with his voice.
The cancer affects the larynx, also known as the voice box which is found at the entrance of the windpipe and is vital for speaking and breathing.
It affects more than 2,000 people every year in the UK and is more common in men over the age of 60 than women, the NHS says.
For many people like Theakston the first noticeable symptom is a sore throat, but experts warn an earache is a less well-known warning sign.
Here, Mailonline reveals the warning signs of laryngeal cancer.
Jamie Theakston revealed on Instagram that he booked an appointment with doctors after listeners had noticed there was something not quite right with his voice
Jamie Theakston revealed he has cancer on Tuesday and said he is taking a break from his Heart Radio job as his co-star Amanda Holden gave a health update
For many people like Theakston the first noticeable symptom is a sore throat, but experts warn an earache is a less well-known warning sign
A hoarse voice
A croaky or hoarse voice that persists for more than three weeks should be checked out by a doctor as it could be laryngeal cancer.
It’s one of the most common symptoms of the cancer, according to Cancer Research UK.
But many other things can cause a hoarse voice, such as a cold or shouting too much.
Smoking can also make your voice sound more croaky because it irritates the mucous membranes which line the throat.
It hurts to swallow
Struggling to swallow food is another common symptom.
Some people report that it feels like something is stuck in their throat or that their food is sticking to it.
Others may notice a burning sensation when swallowing.
However, Cancer Research UK also warns that seeing a lump or swelling on your neck is also a sign to visit a doctor.
Jamie previously presented on Heart FM with Spice Girl singer Emma Bunton
On September 1, he shared this post thanking listeners for spotting something wrong with his voice which he quickly got checked out
The couple welcomed their first child Sidney in April 2008, before having their second son, Kit, September 2009
Earache
Although in most cases laryngeal cancer causes pain in the throat, many also report ear pain, Cancer Research UK warns.
That’s because the nerves in the head and neck are connected.
As a result, the pain can become referred and cause an earache.
Shortness of breath
Because the larynx is found at the entrance of the windpipe, cancer here can make it harder to breathe.
In some cases people may have a cough that doesn’t go away or their breathing may become more labored or noisy.
But in any case shortness of breath is a serious symptom that should not be ignored, Cancer Research warns.
Unexplained weight loss
Weight loss is a common symptom in many types of cancer.
But in laryngeal cancer it could be a direct cause of not eating enough.
This could be because you are in pain when eating and swallowing.
If you unintentionally lose more than five per cent of your normal body weight, or more than 10lbs (4.5 kg) in less than a year, you should consult your doctor, experts advise.
However, it could also be caused by cachexia.
Cachexia, also known as wasting syndrome, is a potential cancer symptom and causes extreme loss of muscle and fat, according to Cancer Research UK.
People with early-stage cancers don’t usually get cachexia. But up to four in five of people with advanced cancer develop some degree of cachexia, the charity explained.
In cancer, it’s thought to be driven by inflammation.
That’s because inflammation can promote muscle wastage and a tumour can take energy away from the rest of the body.
Inflammation has also been linked to muscle loss because it causes protein to be broken down faster than it is being made. That’s because cancer can damage the mitochondria, the part of the cell responsible for converting nutrients into energy.
