I had 2 surgeries and a course of RT for my stage 1 vocal cord cancer just 18 months ago. All appointments since have proven clear and I expect to be fully cured. Caught early this has a 90% cure rate. I am now 68 . I haven’t smoked for 40 years but was a heavy drinker. It appears that was the cause of my cancer. It is generally accepted that RT is less likely to cause voice damage than surgery. I had 4 weeks of it just to make absolutely certain that all cancer cells were killed after laser surgery. My voice now is very good, but somewhat husky and if I have to raise the tone for any length of time it disappears almost. However I’m fighting fit and grateful for the NHS. Hopefully you will now be clear and will be examined for the next 5 years to ensure all remains well. Best wishes on a full recovery. Should you require any further info on my experiences I am here to assist.

Hi thanks for the reply and it’s encouraging to hear you’re doing well, I’ve read some of the statistics and they seem quite positive. I’m still in shock over my diagnosis and the fact I have specially nurses getting in touch with me, as I originally went to my GP in February and was told it was a chest infection and given antibiotics and steroids week after week for 3 weeks, I went back as it wasn’t clearing at which point I was told I need an inhaler which I hadn’t had for 25 years which again didn’t work then I was referred to ENT who discovered polyps and 6 months on this is where I’m upto. I’ve read a few people who’ve had the radiotherapy but I wasn’t told as someone in my early 30’s it shouldn’t be considered as an option. I’ve never smoked I’m not really a heavy drinker more of a binge drinker I usually go out once sometimes twice a month and have a good drink the doctor mentioned a type of chemical and asked if I’d worked with which I’d never even heard of so bit of a mystery but something I’ve got to accept.