Larynx is the organ in your neck that helps you breathe, swallow and speak. Regardless of age being a factor, larynx cancer can affect people of any age. However, your chances of getting the disease increase as you age, especially if you are over 55. Some risk factors include gender (men), environmental toxins, lifestyle habits (smoking), and HPV infections.
To be able to treat larynx cancer and save your life, you must detect the problem in its early stages. Once the problem progresses, not only it becomes difficult to treat it but more expensive as well. Various myths about this particular type of cancer have spread misinformation, which can be life-threatening. Visit a fort worth larynx cancer doctor to get the answers to your question.
Myths about Larynx cancer
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Only smokers get larynx cancer.
False. While smoking and tobacco use increase your chances of getting larynx cancer, people with no history of smoking can also get the disease. In contrast, some heavy smokers may never experience the condition at all. Various other factors and risks are involved, including family history, exposure to certain toxins and chemicals, acid reflux, alcohol consumption, etc.
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Larynx cancer is deadly.
Cancer has achieved a dangerous reputation, and the disease is indeed frightening and life-threatening. However, if patients get prompt treatment and early detection, their cancer can be cured completely. Advancements in the medical field have made it possible to treat neck and head cancers and prolong the patient’s life. Radiation therapy is used to shrink the tumor, while drugs are used to kill the cancer cells.
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Larynx cancer only affects older individuals.
Age is a risk factor for larynx cancer, as with the case in various other cancers as well. People over 40 are more likely to get the disease, while people under 40 rarely experience it. However, it is not impossible to get larynx cancer in younger individuals. Heavy smoking and HPV virus infection can cause cancer in young people.
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Alcohol consumption alone does not cause larynx cancer.
You may have read or heard that the combination of smoking or tobacco use and alcohol consumption increases one’s chances of developing larynx cancer. You may have thought you would be safe since you do not consume tobacco, but you are wrong.
Alcohol consumption alone can cause cancerous development in your throat when done in huge amounts. Research showed that people with a drinking problem had twice as much chance of larynx cancer than people who did not consume alcohol at all.
