How a blocked nose or trouble hearing is a sign of silent killer
IF you're struggling with a blocked nose then your first thought might be the common cold, or even Covid-19.
During the colder months it's easier to mistake symptoms like this with the many bugs that are circulating, but experts have warned that they could in fact be a sign of a silent killer.
Nose cancer, also known as nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) – affects the nasopharynx.
This is the upper part of the pharynx (throat) behind the nose.
In the UK, about 260 people are diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer each year, the NHS says.
Most people with the cancer won't recognise the symptoms until it's at a later stage.
It's different to nasal or sinus cancer, which is a rare cancer that impacts the space behind your nose and the sinuses - the small air-filled cavities inside your nose, cheekbones and forehead.
Experts have said that NPC could be masquerading as a blocked nose.
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It's the sort of feeling you have when you try and blow your nose in a tissue, but the bunged up feeling doesn't subside.
If you've been experiencing this for a few months, experts say that this could be a key sign of NPC.
Otorhinolaryngologist and ENT (ear nose and throat) specialist Dr Lim Keng Hua, explained that the cancer typically arises from a groove known as the fossa of Rosenmuller, situated at the side of the nasopharynx.
He explained that there are other accompanying signs of the cancer which could be mistaken for an infection.
Patients with nose cancer might also suffer with a painless lump on the side of the neck, as well as other symptoms such as a blocked ear.
Other common symptoms include blood in saliva or phlegm, nose bleeds or frequent headaches and earaches.
Patients may also experience a change in hearing or double vision.
The symptoms of nose cancer you need to know
The NHS says that most people won't notice they have nose cancer until the illness is at an advanced stage.
Here are the you should be looking out for:
- a lump in the neck that doesn’t go away after 3 weeks
- hearing loss - usually in one ear
- blocked or stuffy nose
- tinnitus
- nose bleeds
- blocked or stuffy nose
- headaches
- double vision
- numbness in the bottom part of your face
- issues swallowing
- hoarse voice
- unintentional weight loss
Who is most at risk?
Dr Keng Hua said there are certain genetic factors that could make you more prone to nose cancer, he told .
He said that in general, men are two to three times more likely to develop NPC than females.
He explained that women could somewhat be protected from NPC due to higher oestrogen levels.
“Others suggest that it could be due to smoking since the habit is more prevalent among men. However, there is no conclusive evidence", he added.
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Having a family history of NPC is also another factor, with people of Southern Chinese heritage more at risk, he said.
"More than 70 per cent of cases occur in East and Southeast Asia. Hence, for Singaporeans, dialect groups that emigrated from the Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien and Hainanese regions have a higher incidence of NPC", they explained.