A cancer specialist is alerting people to watch out for cold symptoms that don't clear up within three weeks, as they might signal something more serious.
If you're struggling to swallow, have a raspy voice, or your throat remains sore beyond the three-week mark, it's time to see your doctor.
These lingering symptoms could potentially point to cancers in the head and neck region.
Though most seasonal illnesses are harmless, persistent problems warrant proper medical assessment to rule out more serious conditions.
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Symptoms that don't clear up in three weeks could signal something more serious than a cold
|GETTY
Dr Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist at Prague's Proton Therapy Center, explained that while most winter ailments are nothing to fret about, persistent symptoms need proper attention.
"The autumn and winter months always bring more cases of the common cold and flu, and, in most cases, they are nothing to worry about," he said.
"But if you have a lingering symptom that has not gone away after three weeks, such as a persistent sore throat, then it's time to speak to your GP, as it could be a sign of head and neck cancer."
He particularly stressed that smokers should be extra vigilant, as tobacco use significantly raises the risk of developing these cancers.
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Other warning signs to watch for include changes to your voice that won't shift and any lumps or swellings in your throat area.
"Sore throats and hoarse voices are really common at this time of year, but if yours isn't getting better, or is getting worse, then a doctor will be able to examine you and refer you for further tests if necessary," Dr Kubes noted.
Unusual symptoms should always get checked promptly, he urged.
"These symptoms can be caused by many things, so it's important not to worry," Dr Kubes noted. "But if symptoms are caused by cancer, then finding them early often means it can be easier to treat."
Approximately 12,000 people across the UK receive head and neck cancer diagnoses annually, according to Cancer Research UK figures.
While the main risks for the diseases are tobacco and alcohol use, some cases are linked to an infection with a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), the NHS warns.
The health body revealed earlier this year that patients with advanced head and neck cancers will be fast-tracked into a trial of a new cancer vaccine, as it expands its world-leading trial 'match-making' service.
12,000 people across the UK receive head and neck cancer diagnoses annually
| GETTYThe investigational jab uses mRNA technology to help the immune system spot and kill cancer cells that contain HPV proteins.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England National Clinical Director for cancer, said: “It’s fantastic that more patients with advanced head and neck cancers will now be able to access this potentially transformative vaccine, offering renewed hope of holding the disease at bay.
“The NHS is always looking for evidence-backed innovations in treatment to improve survival and quality of life for people diagnosed with cancer, and this expansion of our Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad will give hundreds of patients the chance to be part of cutting-edge advances in cancer care”.
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