This vocal change can sometimes be a sign of lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the most deadly cancer in the United States, with
over 130,000 deaths. While smokers are more likely to develop the disease,
anyone can get it even if they have no recognized risk factors. Early diagnosis
and prompt treatment—both of which can hinge on identifying lung cancer—are a
patient's best chance at a positive prognosis. This is why it's critical to be
aware of lung cancer's signs and symptoms. Continue reading to learn which
symptoms you might hear when you speak and what else could be to blame once
cancer has been ruled out.
If your voice sounds hoarse when you speak, get your lungs
checked.
Most of the tell-tale symptoms of lung cancer are respiratory. For
this reason, one little-known sign that doesn't fit the standard profile: a persistently
hoarse voice is sometimes ignored. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
states, "Hoarseness is a lesser-known sign of lung cancer." "If
you are experiencing longer episodes of hoarseness, you should contact your GP
practice," experts write.
A hoarse voice resulting from lung cancer may present in various
ways, so it's essential to look out for anything that deviates from your sense
of normalcy. According to the foundation, your voice may sound "raspy,
husky, strained, breathy, weak, inconsistent," or "tired."
There could be other benign causes for your hoarse voice.
A hoarse voice can be caused by various conditions other than lung
cancer. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation lists laryngitis, swelling of the
voice box, acid reflux, and a buildup of soft tissue on the vocal cords.
Environmental factors like humidity and pollution can also contribute to the
development of a hoarse voice. Hoarseness can be caused by laryngeal cancer,
which affects the cells lining the voice box.
According to experts, if your hoarse voice is caused by
"irritation or injury to the vocal cords," it should go away on its
own in a short period.
Here's why lung cancer patients may experience a hoarse voice.
It's easy to imagine how cancer of the larynx could cause a hoarse
voice, but the connection between lung cancer and hoarseness is perhaps less
obvious.
According to Health Union, lung cancer patients may experience
hoarseness resulting from paralysis or weakness in the laryngeal nerve. When
this occurs, it is known as laryngeal nerve palsy. "The recurrent
laryngeal nerve controls the action of the larynx and is split into a left and
right nerve," their experts explain. "The recurrent laryngeal nerve
has an indirect route through the body, with the left passing through the chest
cavity close to the left lung. Tumors in the left lung can press on the nerve,
causing hoarseness or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Although less common,
right lung tumors can also cause recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy."
Look out for these other symptoms of lung cancer.
If you notice hoarseness in your voice that does not go away on
its own, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns. It's also helpful
to be aware of the other signs of lung cancer, which can assist in identifying
whether there's a more significant problem.
These symptoms include a persistent cough that gets worse over
time, a cough that produces blood or rust-colored phlegm, chest pain, shortness
of breath, wheezing, fatigue, and weight loss with no known cause, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Repeated bouts of
pneumonia and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest in the
area between the lungs are further changes that can sometimes occur with lung
cancer," the CDC writes.
Speak with your doctor today to rule out lung cancer if you notice these symptoms.