[Robert Dubrul]

NEWBIE HERE!! Hey everybody, a great friend of mine Peter Doakly and a fantastic sax player died about three years ago of throat cancer. He played the sax for about 40 years and as long as I knew him, he would roar a lot. I am not talking about humming in key to produce a slightly rough sound in the upper register I am talkig a bout a growl in the throat. I can do it but it is very irritating. I never knew him to be a smoker. It may be possible he was in his youth. Any of you players doctors? Think it is possible the cancer resulted from years of stress to the throat from growling????? Just a hunch!!!

 

[Dr_sax]

Plain "No".
Perhaps it was the smoke in all the clubs he played. Even rock singers don´t get cancer from singing-only singers knots on their vocal cords.

 

[potiphar]

Second opinion: Plain "No". I'll go with the smoke in most cases.

 

[coolsax2k7]

rawrrr:cat: do not be afraid rawrrring is a perfectly safe thing to do around friends :cat:

 

[Jaice Singer DuMars]

Probably not cancer, but serious vocal nodes, yes. Ned Rothenberg had to have surgery for it. Growling (which I do all the time, mind you) slaps your vocal chords around badly, and causes scar tissue to build up. In an extreme case, I could imagine such damage ceding to opportunistic disease like metasticized cancer, but again, this seems unlikely. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned, and do a little research on "vocal nodes".

 

[coolsax2k7]

Probably not cancer, but serious vocal nodes, yes. Ned Rothenberg had to have surgery for it. Growling (which I do all the time, mind you) slaps your vocal chords around badly, and causes scar tissue to build up. In an extreme case, I could imagine such damage ceding to opportunistic disease like metasticized cancer, but again, this seems unlikely. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned, and do a little research on "vocal nodes".

You're supposed to never, ever do it if you're a singer. I never listened... (maybe thats why I'm not a singer. )

I would stop if it hurts.

 

[jazzbluescat]

I agree with probably not, but stop short of giving an unequivocal no. The reason being, cancer is caused by something irritating the body. e.g. Lip cancer can be caused by the irritation of a pipe stem rubbing against the lips. Therefore it seems not too far fetched that roaring, an unnatural effect, caused by an unnatural state or use of the vocal cords could be an irritant causing cancer. It's probably highly unlikely but it could be a contributing circumstance, at least.

 

[coolsax2k7]

I agree with probably not, but stop short of giving an unequivocal no. The reason being, cancer is caused by something irritating the body. e.g. Lip cancer can be caused by the irritation of a pipe stem rubbing against the lips. Therefore it seems not too far fetched that roaring, an unnatural effect, caused by an unnatural state or use of the vocal cords could be an irritant causing cancer. It's probably highly unlikely but it could be a contributing circumstance, at least.

A good reason to use extra soft toilet paper.

 

[Budget Explosion]

A few months ago, I was working on roaring as loud as I could on my 10M and I think I swallowed copious amounts of air which resulted in incredibly severe gas pains...it felt like I had broken ribs (or appendicitis) and took several days to go away. Overall, the whole experience was incredibly humiliating. I only practice at low volumes on the 10M now...which is probably better for everyone.

 

[spiderjames]

The risk factor for throat cancer are smoking and drinking although this is certainly not always the case.

 

[coolsax2k7]

The risk factor for throat cancer are smoking and drinking although this is certainly not always the case.

which means, kids, don't smoke lots of cigars and drink lots of moonshine.

 

[syrsax]

actually, I am an ENT doc.
Throat cancer (laryngeal cancer) is due to smoking (including second-hand) and alcohol in about 92% of cases. Chronic irritation (most often reflux disease), and genetic factors likely are to blame in non-smokers.
Loud growling likely involves the false vocal cords and may cause pain but not true vocal cord nodules (as can happen with singers....and teachers....etc)

 

[Robert Dubrul]

Thanks for the roaring response!

Now I can roar happily ever after!!!!!!! Thanks!

 

[socialcrawl]

No!:? I never heard that one before however you can get throat cancer by smoking not trying too sound nasty also by oral sex :shock:and maybe if its genetic in your family

 

[deb1033]

No!:? I never heard that one before however you can get throat cancer by smoking not trying too sound nasty also by oral sex :shock:and maybe if its genetic in your family

Wow! Way to go over the line buddy. It's a good thing that this isn't a family site or anything like that... (said sarcastically).

 

[mike713]

cancer is caused by something irritating the body. e.g. Lip cancer can be caused by the irritation of a pipe stem rubbing against the lips

cancer is not caused by 'something irritating the body.' and 'lip cancer' is not really a correct term. skin cancer maybe, but even that is not caused by something rubbing against you. seriously. look it up on wikipedia or something...

i wouldn't hesitate in saying that roaring is absolutely not the cause.

 

[zxcvbnm]

A few death metal singers (don't think that's the appropriate term though) have gotten some illness, don't know if it was cancer or not, but something bad from screaming too much. Lol that was just a very vague sentence.

 

[hakukani]

A few death metal singers (don't think that's the appropriate term though) have gotten some illness, don't know if it was cancer or not, but something bad from screaming too much. Lol that was just a very vague sentence.

It probably has nothing to do with drugs, jager bombs, and strobe lights and too many subwoofers.

 

[bubblegirlsax]

I would also consider chemicals. Many chemicals are carsinogenic. What about the pesticide in cane reeds? Chemicals in rubber or metal mouthpieces? Teflon or other chemicals in the actual make of the saxophone?

Unfortunately, though, just about anything can kill you these days. Why starve yourself of a good sax setup, when you could die after being hit by car in a freak accident? The spice of life is to enjoy it however you want, and just hope you live a long time. Everything in life is a gamble so you can only do your best.

 

[hakukani]

No!:? I never heard that one before however you can get throat cancer by smoking not trying too sound nasty also by oral sex :shock:and maybe if its genetic in your family

Wow! Way to go over the line buddy. It's a good thing that this isn't a family site or anything like that... (said sarcastically).

Not over the line. A little strange, and no basis in research...