The U.S. government's Institute of Medicine reported that asbestos, which is accepted as a cause of a number of respiratory ailments including lung cancer, may also be a source for laryngeal cancer. The larynx produces the sound of your voice. Each year in the United States, more than 10,000 people learn they have larynx cancer. Men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of the larynx. Occupational related issues are certainly a factor with mechanics, construction, and other jobs that handle asbestos.

A series of studies have found that certain cancers of the throat and lungs are similar, so the U.S. Senate asked the institute to investigate a potential link between asbestos and other upper-body cancers. Asbestos is also linked to mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the chest.

Smokers and smokers that drink alcohol are even more at risk to develop cancer of the larynx. Symptoms of larynx cancer are hoarseness or other voice changes,lump in the neck, a sore throat or feeling that something is stuck in your throat, a cough that does not go away, breathing problems, bad breath, earaches, and weight loss.

Studies exist that link acid-reflux conditions to cancer of the larynx -- or voice box -- but authors of a new study say they all suffer shortcomings in methodology.

The new study, published in the American Journal of Medicine, was intended to make up for these shortcomings by comparing 96 men and women with laryngeal cancer to a group of adults without the disease. All participants were matched by age, gender, and ethnicity -- three of the most important risk factors for this cancer. Overall, the study found people with GERD -- gastroesophageal reflux disease -- were twice as likely to develop laryngeal cancer, compared to those without the condition. GERD has long been considered a possible risk factor for this cancer, mostly because GERD is common among people with the cancer. More definitive studies are on the horizon.

GERD, which occurs when the muscle of the bottom of the esophagus fails to close properly, allowing stomach acids to leak into the esophagus, is also linked to esophageal cancer.

To cut down on cancer risks if consuming alcohol, The American Cancer Society, recommends cutting down drinks to one daily for women and two daily for men. Alcohol consumption on a daily basis increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, and liver in both women and men and also increases the risk of breast cancer in women. The risk elevates after one daily drink for women and two for men.

Oral cancers are six times more common in alcohol users than non alcohol users. About 75 percent to 80 percent of all patients with oral cancer consume alcohol frequently. Smokers who also drink are at much higher risks. Heavy alcohol use is the primary cause of liver cancer. Alcohol alters the liver's ability to metabolize some carcinogenic substances into harmless compounds or to disable certain existing carcinogens. Studies also show a relation between higher risks in breast cancer with alcohol use and the increase risk factor rising with the more drinks consumed daily. Alcohol increases hormones in your body.

Blues musician Sam Myers has been battling throat cancer since February of this year. He was receiving traditional radiation and chemotherapy treatment for his condition without any positive results. Last week a surgical team took the drastic measure of removing his larynx, leaving him unable to sing or play his harmonica. The surgeons installed a voice box that has a lesser mechanical sound than most but he will still have to hold his hand over his throat to speak. He has been told he will never again be able to sing or play his beloved harmonica. Although many fans are mourning the loss of his beautiful voice, he is also legendary for his ability to plays blues drums. Many are hoping he will again enter the music arena to share his amazing feeling of blues music with fans