A 30-second at-home test helps assess cancer risk.
In just 30 seconds and without any medical equipment, you can perform a simple self-check at home to identify serious health problems early.
The ability to swallow indicates a risk of cancer.
We swallow hundreds of times a day without realizing it. But few people know that this process involves more than 50 different muscle groups and nerves.
When the body malfunctions—whether in the esophagus, the nervous system, or the brain region that controls movement—swallowing becomes difficult.
This is an early sign of dysphagia, a symptom commonly seen in serious conditions such as esophageal cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders.
Difficulty swallowing is a symptom of many serious medical conditions. Photo: Getty
One simple method for early detection of dysphagia is the repeated swallowing test (RSST). This test is being recommended by many healthcare professionals for initial screening.
You just need to:
- Sit still, with your back straight, and do not eat or drink anything during the examination.
- Take a deep breath and relax your body.
- Within 30 seconds, try to swallow as many times as possible, without using any liquids or food.
Count the number of times you swallow.
Next, compare your data with the table below to determine if you are at a "safe" level or showing signs of abnormality:
- 20-39 years old: 8.5 times
- Ages 40-49: 8 times
- Ages 50-59: 7 times
- Ages 60-69: 6.7 times
- Ages 70-79: 6 times
- From age 80: 4.3 times
If your results are significantly lower than average, this could be an early warning sign. You should visit a medical facility for a more thorough examination.
What does the scientific research say?
This test isn't just a "word-of-mouth" trick. It's confirmed by a study published in the journal Dysphagia, conducted by a team of doctors at the Sheba Medical Center (Israel).
In this study, scientists tracked 200 healthy individuals across various age groups to determine the "normal range" for the number of times they swallow saliva in 30 seconds.
The results showed that swallowing ability gradually decreases with age and there is a slight difference between men and women. Men generally have a higher number of swallows, most likely due to their biological structure and the physical condition of their neck and throat muscles.
It is worth noting that previously, RSST testing standards typically only stipulated a minimum threshold of 3 swallows/30 seconds for all adults. However, according to the authors, this number does not accurately reflect the degree of swallowing function decline with age and may easily miss mild cases.
"Swallowing ability is a very important physiological indicator but is often overlooked. Establishing new benchmarks for each age group will help in earlier and more accurate screening for neurological diseases and head and neck cancers," emphasized Associate Professor Ilana Shemesh, head of the research team.
Difficulty swallowing - not just a problem for the elderly.
According to the UK National Health Service (NHS), dysphagia is not only associated with old age, but can also occur in younger people due to:
- Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Side effects of medications (especially sedatives and antipsychotics).
- Congenital defects in children (cleft lip, cleft palate).
- Neurological disorders or brain injuries.
- Chronic lung diseases such as COPD.
In Vietnam, thousands of cases of esophageal and laryngeal cancer are recorded each year, with many cases arriving at the hospital late because patients are complacent about symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, choking while eating, or feeling like something is stuck in their throat when swallowing saliva - which are often considered "minor issues".
A small action like swallowing – if done with the right attention – can become an early warning sign, helping you avoid serious consequences later on. Don't wait until you have obvious symptoms to see a doctor, because with many cancers, early detection is the greatest lifeline.
Take 30 seconds each few weeks to perform this test for yourself and your loved ones. This is especially important for the elderly, those with a history of stroke, or those with underlying digestive or respiratory conditions.
