VOA标准英语2010年-Throat Cancer Largely Due to Smoking A

Actor Michael Douglas has become the international face of throat cancer since he announced he had the disease. The actor says his doctors give him an 80 percent chance of beating the cancer.

Michael Douglas didn't speak to reporters at the premiere of his latest film.

The actor was mute as he posed with other members of the cast. The Academy Award-winning actor is being treated for throat cancer.

More than half a million cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide. Most are in developing countries. They include cancers of the nose, mouth, throat and larynx or voice box.

Dr. Michael Benninger at the Cleveland Clinic describes the warning signs of throat cancer. "A good rule of thumb is an unexplained hoarseness¹, particularly in a smoker², that lasts for longer than two to four weeks should be evaluated, so that's a good rule. Painful swallowing that persists should be evaluated," he said.

Symptoms of Throat Cancer 

A new study from the National Cancer Institute finds that many head and neck cancers are the direct result of smoking. The study followed almost half a million people for five years. They found that men were more likely to be diagnosed with head and neck cancers than women. Heavy tobacco and alcohol use are the top risk factors.

Dr. Sat Parmar of University Hospital of Birmingham in Britain says heavy drinking and smoking dramatically increases the risk of getting these cancers. "If you smoke and drink heavily, your risk of getting mouth cancer is about 26 times that of a non smoker and a non drinker," he said.

Michael Douglas is getting a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, but treatment can also include surgery.

The latest technique involves robotic surgery. Dr. Tod Huntley likes it because the surgery is performed through the throat without making an outside incision³. "It doesn't involve nearly the trauma⁴ to the surrounding tissues, and for many select tumors in this area, it allows for complete removal...often without a tracheotomy (a cut or opening is made in the windpipe or trachea) and generally without a feeding tube," he said.

With robotic surgery, patients spend less time in a hospital, have a faster recovery and avoid scarring and facial deformities. To reduce the risk of getting head or neck cancers, doctors the world over advise people to stay away from smoking and heavy drinking
 

1 hoarseness   

n.嘶哑， 刺耳

参考例句：

• His hoarseness and coughing showed that he had contracted a cold. 他嗓音嘶哑又咳嗽，这表明他患了感冒。
• Occasionally, recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement causes hoarseness. 有时，喉返神经受累引起声音嘶哑。

2 smoker   

n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室

参考例句：

• His wife dislikes him to be a smoker.他妻子不喜欢他当烟民。
• He is a moderate smoker.他是一个有节制的烟民。

3 incision   

n．切口，切开

参考例句：

• The surgeon made a small incision in the patient's cornea.外科医生在病人的眼角膜上切开一个小口。
• The technique involves making a tiny incision in the skin.这项技术需要在皮肤上切一个小口。

4 trauma   

n.外伤，精神创伤

参考例句：

• Counselling is helping him work through this trauma.心理辅导正帮助他面对痛苦。
• The phobia may have its root in a childhood trauma.恐惧症可能源于童年时期的创伤。