do I have throat cancer?

hello, 

 

im a 21 year old female, for the last 5 weeks the front of my neck near my thyroid feels swollen and heavy when I swallow, I'm also having issues with food sticking in my throat when I'm swallowing and a hoarse voice, had a check up at the doctors today and they are referring me to have a camera to check for growths 

feeling really worried it's cancer, I have a 1 year old daughter :( 

How do I cope with the waiting...

  • Hello Chloe_D, 

    I just wanted to welcome you to our forum. I hope you won't have to wait too long to be seen and to have these important tests. I can imagine it must be a very stressful time for you while waiting to find out more. 

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. There are some really helpful tips on this page to help you cope while waiting for news.

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • I have the same worry as well as having a mouth ulcer that hasn't gone away. I've got blood tests in a week's time but I'm so scared and I'm only 22 x

  • Hi I'm 62 had trouble with my throat it was a gland infection put on 16 tablets a day for a week then I  was ok I thought the worst we google everything and all the bad things come up so carry on and keep your self busy good wishes xx

  • hey how did you get on?

    i have also developed a mouth ulcer now too, are you having trouble swallowing?

    my blood results showed up low foliate, I searched google and it showed that can be a sign of cancer, I'm freaking myself out with worry, I've had low foliate before a few times so trying to stay positive 

    still waiting on my appointment for the camera to check to see what's going on 

  • Thanks for replying, glad your feeling better now, yeah we google and it pops up with the worst case scenario, I have banned myself from google until I get my appointment for the camera, fingers crossed it's soon and it's not cancer xx

  • Thank you for replying, I have banned myself from googling my symptoms as it pops up worst case senario, hoping to have my appointment soon x

  • I have been to the dentist and they said I've got an infected tooth so got antibiotics. My blood tests showed I've got a thyroid problem and my saliva glands are swollen cause of that or an infection. Got the doctor's ringing me back Tuesday, but my saliva glands are definitely bothering me a lot. 

    Hope you are ok 

  • Hey! Dunno how much I can reassure you and it's great you are getting it checked out. I've spoken to 2 ent's in the last month, both have told me even with similiar symptoms cancer is very very very unlikely.

    Going for an endoscopy to be sure but I've been on antireflux medication and I'm swallowing okay again! You are very young (I'm 32 and being told I'm too young for throat cancer) there's so many different things that can cause this stuff cancer being extremely rare in our gender and age group. 

    Its a scary feeling, I've got two children myself 6 and 2 and terrified but trying to stay positive for my family and for myself.

     

  • How are u doing I'm also having the same symptoms, trouble swallowing and feels like somethings stuck in my throat and worse when I eat. They gave me acid reflux tablets but they haven't worked I'm terrified it's literally getting me down I can't eat or sleep I'm only 23 xx