An unexpected alteration in your voice could be a lesser-known symptom of lung cancer and it's not one to brush aside. Medical professionals highlight that typical signs of the disease don't usually manifest in the early stages, but tend to appear as the condition advances.
Common symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, a long-standing cough that worsens over time, recurring chest infections, and even coughing up blood. However, a hoarse voice is a less recognised symptom that should also be taken seriously.
It's not widely acknowledged as an indicator of lung cancer, but it can signal the presence of the disease. Changes in your voice can be triggered by smoking or a vocal cord infection, potentially leading to a malignant tumour.
This symptom is part of a series of lesser-known ailments that could hint at lung cancer, reports the Mirror. The NHS says less common symptoms of lung cancer can include:
- changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
- wheezing
- a hoarse voice
- swelling of your face or neck
- persistent chest or shoulder pain
These are in addition to the more familiar symptoms such as pain or discomfort when breathing or coughing, constant breathlessness, fatigue or lack of energy, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, which the NHS considers more prominent. The Mirror previously reported that a continuous croaky voice or ongoing hoarseness could indicate one of the deadliest cancers by death rate and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Hoarseness is a lesser-known symptom of lung cancer, typically resulting from irritation or injury to the vocal cords. In most cases, this issue resolves itself after a short time.
If you're experiencing hoarseness, you'll notice a change in your voice, which may sound raspy, husky, strained, breathy, weak, inconsistent or tired. You might also find that you're speaking at a higher or lower pitch than usual, often making conversation difficult.
There are numerous causes for hoarseness, including swelling of the voice box, often due to a respiratory tract infection or acid reflux. This occurs when stomach acid or enzymes irritate the throat, a build-up of soft tissue on the vocal cords often linked to smoking, paralysed vocal cords resulting from an infection, or a benign or malignant tumour.
