Help, I think I have throat cancer?

Posted by Karago @creamz, Dec 8, 2023

2 years ago I had oral sex and shortly after I started feeling something in my throat like a lump and now I have difficulty swallowing, over salivating (can’t talk to anyone without spitting on them), lack of appetite, my tongue feels a bit rough (no visible signs of infection on it but it itches sometimes), losing weight etc. I feel like it may be throat cancer although because of the country I live in nobody has been able to tell me the type of Infection I have or if it’s cancer but it’s been terrible. I need help to know how to deal with this cos it has affected my life to an extent that I consider dying sometimes than this nightmare but I know life is a gift so I need to live. Please help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 8, 2023

@creamz, I'm sorry to hear that you have symptoms that are making you very worried. It is easy to jump directly to the worse case scenario and to think you might have cancer. Your symptoms alone cannot determine the diagnosis. You will need to have medical testing to rule out potential causes.

Have you had tests like an endoscopy where a doctor exams your throat and a tissue sample taken?

William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Dec 9, 2023

Have you tried a course of antibiotics? Sometimes throat infections never go away without some help.
What you need is a diagnosis and that we here can not give you. Do you have access to an Ear Nose Throat specialist where you live? That would be a start.

rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Dec 10, 2023

If you think something is wrong, then go see your doctor. They will look down your throat and see what’s going on.

bote60 | @bote60 | Dec 10, 2023

In reply to @rsedlock1958 "If you think something is wrong, then go see your doctor. They will look down your..." + (show)

What symptoms,how long ,I've have gone that rought with inoperable nasopharyngeal cancer, I can maybe answer and hopefully help your anxiety

stephenrfleury | @stephenrfleury | Dec 10, 2023

Please please visit you primary care and or ENT as they can order tests that can figure out what the issue is. No one here can provide any real insights as to whether you have cancer or not.

We can and help answer questions about how we dealt with a variety of issues or what we learned as our experiences grew.

Good luck