Cancer of the throat (also called the pharynx) is a quite uncommon cancer. It makes up less than 1 in every 200 cancers. About 580  people in England and Wales develop the condition each year. Cancer of the pharynx is almost twice as common in men as in women.

The risk of getting a cancer of the throat is greater if:

• you are a smoker
• you drink heavily
• you chew tobacco, betal, gutkha or pan
• you have a poor diet
• you are over 55 years old

The main symptoms of a cancer of the throat are a sore throat that does not go away and difficulty in swallowing. Other symptoms that can develop are pain when swallowing, earache and a hoarse voice.

The Department of Health has given guidelines to family doctors (GPs) suggesting they should arrange an urgent appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to check for anyone who comes with any of the following problems:

• difficulty in swallowing that has lasted for three weeks
• a lump in the neck that has been there for more than three weeks
• a hoarse voice that has lasted more than six weeks

The guidelines also advise GP's to be particularly aware of the risk of throat cancers in men over 45 who smoke heavily or drink a lot of alcohol or chew tobacco, betal, gutkha or pan.

Difficulty in swallowing and the other symptoms can have other causes apart from cancer but the important thing is that if you develop any of these problems you should see your GP who can discuss them with you and, if they think it is necessary, arrange an appointment with a specialist to be on the safe side.