Hollywood legend Val Kilmer has died at 65 from pneumonia following a decade-long health battle.
The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and subsequently underwent chemotherapy, radiation and two tracheotomies that permanently affected his ability to speak and breath naturally.
While Kilmer was eventually declared cancer-free, he spoke publicly about the lasting effects of the illness and its treatments on his health. Before his diagnosis, he said he noticed subtle symptoms that turned out to be signs of the deadly disease.
Here’s what to watch out for.
What are the symptoms of throat cancer?
Throat cancer — an umbrella term for cancers that develop in the larynx (voice box) and the pharynx, a muscular tube in the neck that starts behind the nose and opens into the larynx and esophagus — often flies under the radar in its early stages, with symptoms typically not showing up until the disease has progressed.
When symptoms do appear, they’re often mistaken for something less serious, like a cold or allergies, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“One of the early signs are changes to your voice like a hoarseness or gravelly sound which persists for a number of weeks with no additional signs of flu,” Dr. Gareth Nye, a biomedical science lecturer at the University of Salford, told Yahoo Life.
Other symptoms may include:
- Persistent sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing or pain when you swallow
- Red or white patches in the mouth or throat
- A lump in your neck, throat or the back of your mouth
- Frequent or severe headaches
- Neck or ear pain
- Ongoing cough or coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Unexplained weight loss
Experts say that if you experience any of the symptoms above for longer than two weeks, it’s time to get checked by a doctor.
For Kilmer, his health troubles began in 2014 when he noticed a large lump in his throat. He also struggled to swallow and even woke up in a pool of his own blood on several occasions, according to the New York Times Magazine.
Who is at risk for throat cancer?
Around 31,000 people in the US are diagnosed with throat cancer each year, making it relatively rare compared to other cancers.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 12,770 people die annually from cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, while laryngeal cancers claim about 3,910 lives each year.
While throat cancer can affect anyone, certain risk factors significantly increase the chances of developing the disease. These include smoking or chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and infections, particularly the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus, per the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Other factors that could raise your risk include a diet low in fruits and vegetables or high in salt-cured fish and meats, a diagnosis of Plummer-Vinson syndrome, exposure to toxins like asbestos or sulfuric acid, and even drinking yerba mate.
Though people over 55 are at the highest risk, throat cancer is becoming more common in younger individuals due to the rising prevalence of HPV.
Men are about five times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease compared to women, and they account for nearly twice as many cases of HPV-related throat cancers.
“The most common HPV-related cancers are those of the genitals and reproductive tract. However, since the early 1970s, there has been a steady increase in cancers of the throat, tongue and tonsils that are linked to HPV,” said Dr. Nicole Fowler, otolaryngologist and head & neck surgeon at University Hospitals.
“Although the percentage of people who will develop HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is very small, the upward trend is concerning,” he added.
How can you prevent throat cancer?
While there’s no surefire way to prevent throat cancer, there are steps you can take to lower your risk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you smoke or chew tobacco, quitting is a crucial first step.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may also help, thanks to their vitamins and antioxidants that promote overall health.
And, of course, protecting yourself from HPV is key. You can reduce your risk by limiting the number of sexual partners you have and using a condom every time you have sex. Be sure to ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine, which can help lower the risk of throat cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
