Throat+cancer

**Throat Cancer!**


 * So... what is throat cancer?**

Throat cancer, or thyroid cancer, is, well... getting cancer in your throat! But let's explain it in more detail... According to Dictionary.com, cancer is '//a malignant and invasive growth or tumor, especially one originating in epithelium, tending to recur after excision and to metastasize to other // //sites.//' Basically, this means that the cells multiply uncontrollably, so much that it destroys nearby tissues. Obviously, this is bad for you, and sadly it is very hard to cure this disease, even when resorting to surgery. The thyroid gland is around the front of the neck, in between the Adam's Apple and the breast bone. Throat cancer can start in many different places, such as the oesophagus, larynx, thyroid glands or pharynx. Remember this ad against smoking? This guy actually has throat cancer, and was one of the unlucky ones.


 * How do I make sure that I don't get it?**

There is not really much you can do to change the balance, but what you can do would be very good. About 600 people get affected by throat cancer in Victoria every year, as well as nose and mouth cancer, which are quite similar. This disease is more common in men than in women. Moreover, older people such as people over 50 tend to have a higher likelihood of diagnosed with it than people under 50. Throat cancer also has a higher likelihood to affect smokers, especially heavy-drinking ones. The best thing to do to prevent throat cancer is to not smoke and, at least, limit how much alcohol you drink.

Micheal Douglas, an American actor and producer, is another good example of someone battling throat cancer and making it almost unscathed.


 * What if I did g****e****t i****t... wha****t would** **I expect?**

You would experience many things if you were afflicted with throat cancer. Some things include:


 * Some swelling or a lump in your throat.
 * A cough that just won't away!
 * Phlegm with flecks of blood in it.
 * The feeling that something's stuck there inside your throat...
 * A change of voice, mostly hoarseness or huskiness.
 * Throat pain.
 * Some pain in the ears as well.
 * A hard time trying to swallow.
 * Some difficulties breathing also.
 * Some swollen lymph glands.
 * Gastrointestinal disorders, including excessive reflex, diarrhoea and constipation. //(If you want to learn more about these, you can also browse around the other digestive disorders.)//


 * Are there cures?**

There are some ways to possibly cure it, such as surgery, irradiation and cytotoxic drugs, but prevention is the best cure. These methods of treatment can also possibly do more harm than good.


 * Sources I used:**

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Throat_cancer?open Page Name: Throat Cancer Author: Victorian State Government Last Updated: N/A Date accessed: Friday June 30, 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer Page Name: Cancer Author: Wikipedia Last Updated: N/A Date accessed: Friday June 30, 2011

Google Images Page name: throat cancer from smoking Authors: boston.com (for the advertisement picture) and realbollywood.com (for the picture of Michael Douglas) Last Updated: N/A Date accessed: Friday June 30, 2011

W. Carter and J. Bowen, //The Macquarie Home Guide to Health and Medicine,// The Macquarie Library, pty. ltd., 1991.

Thanks so much for reading this! Hope you liked it!

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