A new study has revealed that on-time investigation of patients with persistent swollen neck glands may help avoid higher risks of cancer.

New research led by the University of Exeter Medical School along with Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bangor has found that persistent enlarged lymph glands, found in the neck, could indicate lymphoma, a type of cancer.

The research has revealed the importance of persistent swollen lymph glands, particularly in the neck, as part of cancer. Of course swollen glands are common with throat infections, but in cancer, they are usually larger and painless. It’s been known for a long time that this could represent cancer, this study showed that the risk was higher than previously thought.

Dr Liz Shephard, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said that the early diagnosis was vital to reduce cancer deaths and this research would feed into guidelines to help GPs refer earlier and potentially to save lives.

The study is published in the British Journal of General Practice. (ANI)