65 - Laryngeal cancer
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 April 2023
Summary
This is a form of cancer (see Map 7 All cancer deaths) affecting the larynx, which is also known as the voicebox.
See also Map 60 Cancer of the mouth, Map 68 Lung cancer and Map 71 Cancer of gullet.
This is probably a map of smoking, drinking and poverty. The highest rates of laryngeal cancer are found in and around Glasgow, in the north west, along the north east coast and in London, followed by the West Midlands and south Wales.
The risk of lanrygeal cancer, like cancer of the mouth, is greatly increased by smoking and alcohol consumption, particularly spirits. When combined these two risk factors have a synergistic effect.
The author Evan Hunter (who also wrote as Ed McBain) died of cancer of the larynx.
Laryngeal cancer and the surgery used to treat it commonly lead to difficulty speaking and breathing. A breathing stoma is a hole in the neck that is used for breathing when the larynx has been removed by surgery or is swollen from the effects of radiotherapy.
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- The Grim Reaper's Road MapAn Atlas of Mortality in Britain, pp. 132 - 133Publisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2008