Doctors said David is battling aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the head, neck, and throat (Pic: Getty/iStock)
British rockstar David Roach has been diagnosed with a "very aggressive" form of cancer after showing general symptoms of a cough. According to news reports, Roach, the frontman for the heavy metal band Junkyard, has been hospitalised.
“We’re still struggling to process the news we received on Tuesday. After David’s ongoing fever and cough led us to the ER, we got results that have completely shattered our world. It’s devastating and life-altering, and we’re trying to navigate through the emotions and uncertainty that come with it,” wrote Jennifer, David’s fiancée, in a message on Instagram.
Doctors said David is battling aggressive squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the head, neck, and throat, and while coughing and fever are not specific symptoms of this cancer, they are among the most common signs. According to experts, head and neck cancers occur in more than 30 parts of the head and neck, including the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, ears, and salivary glands.
What is head and neck cancer?
Head and neck cancer refers to a group of cancers that develop in the head and neck region, including the mouth, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses, and salivary glands. These cancers typically originate in the squamous cells that line these areas.
According to doctors, around 4.5 per cent of cancer diagnoses across the world are head and neck cancers, most of which affect men over the age of 50 years. But this may be because this group is more likely to have risk factors associated with these cancers, like a history of tobacco use. Also, head and neck cancers related to HPV are on the rise. Alongside this shift, more people getting diagnosed are under 50.
Signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer
Doctors say the initial symptoms of head and neck cancer are often mild. They can mimic less serious conditions like a cold or sore throat, which do not go away. Depending on the type of head and neck cancer, you may experience:
- Persistent earaches or symptoms of an ear infection, especially when the ear looks normal
-
Frequent and severe headaches
- Pain in your face or neck that does not go away
- Pain in your upper teeth and jaw, especially when you swallow food
- Changes in your voice
You may also notice frequent breathlessness and trouble in breathing, apart from a lump in your throat, mouth, or neck; a sore tongue; frequent nosebleeds; bloody saliva; a white or red patch on your gums; and swelling in your jaw or neck.
What are the risk factors of head and neck cancer?
A few common risk factors for head and neck cancer include:
- Frequent use of tobacco, including smoking cigarettes or cigars
- Frequent and too much consumption of alcohol
- Human papillomavirus, or HPV virus, due to infection
- Frequent chewing of betel nut
- Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infection in the salivary glands
- A weakened immune system makes it hard for your body to fight any infection.
