Hello,

Just wanting a bit of advise please. I have had a sore throat which started 2 weeks ago, turned into a cold but though the cold came and went the sore throat remained. Didn't think much of it until about 4 days ago when it became very painful on one side, and which is very painful when swallowing. I was prescribed anti-biotics 4 days ago but these have not made any difference. I went to the doctor again today, but he was quite blase about the whole thing and said there wasn't much to worry about when he looked into my throat - and when I asked to be referred, he said as it hadn't been 3 weeks he would not do so.

The reason I am quite scared about throat cancer is becuase I used to smoke about 10-15 a day for about 10 years - although I gave up about 18 years ago. And I used to drink a fair amount until I gave up about 8 years ago. 

Because of these 2 risk factors, I am quite worried that I have throat cancer - at 46 - with the painful swallowing on side, and a slight earache

Should I be worried - I'm almost tempted to get a private test done this week, if only for my peace of mind