Ellie Kemp
A medical lawyer has warned of the overlooked symptoms of a deadly cancer that impacts thousands of Americans each year.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for almost one in six deaths, according to the World Health Service.
While some forms of the disease present with very little symptoms, others manifest in ways that could easily be brushed off as less urgent health issue.
But a leading medical negligence solicitor says the firm is seeing growing numbers of patients who were misdiagnosed, ignored or sent away with antibiotics, only to later receive a life-altering diagnosis.
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Kate McCue, Senior Associate Solicitor at Simpson Millar, warned that 'timing really does make all the difference,' adding: "Catching [the cancer] early can lead to much better outcomes, not just in terms of survival, but also in how intensive the treatment needs to be, how long recovery takes and what quality of life looks like after treatment."
The UK-based legal firm has seen a surge in head and neck cancer being misdiagnosed.
This includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat and voice box. The National Foundation for Cancer Research estimates some 71,110 new cases of head and neck cancers were diagnosed in the US in 2024.
While the risk is higher for people who either smoke or drink alcohol, the disease can affect anyone - and early diagnosis makes a significant difference to outcomes, Kate adds.
The 12 symptoms of head and neck cancer to look out for can impact your face, throat, ears and even your teeth.
Signs include mouth ulcers that don't heal, white or red patches in the mouth and a persistent sore throat.
Pain or difficulty swallowing, a lump in the mouth or neck, changes in the voice or speech and numbness in the tongue or lips could also be red flags.
Additional symptoms include swelling or thickening in the cheek, a blocked nose on one side only and ear pain or hearing problems.
People might also experience loose teeth with no obvious cause and unexplained weight loss.
Kate adds: “If any of these symptoms last more than two to three weeks, or get worse over time, speak to your GP or dentist.
"You might be referred to a specialist within two weeks and this is called an urgent referral, and it’s designed to make sure anything serious is picked up quickly."
She emphasizes: “If you feel something is wrong, push for further testing so that you’re comfortable that your warning signs and symptoms are being taken seriously.”