When my friend Minh, a seemingly healthy office worker, first developed a persistent sore throat, he dismissed it as a common cold or the result of long work hours and stress.

The 35-year-old treated it with lozenges and home remedies, expecting it to go away in a few days.

However, weeks passed, and the soreness didn’t improve—it worsened. By the time Minh finally went to a specialist, the diagnosis was sh0cking: stage 2 throat can:cer.

After undergoing five intense sessions of chemotherapy, his doctor shared not just advice about recovery—but an unexpected warning.

“If you want to protect yourself and your family, throw away these two things from your fridge immediately,” the doctor said.

Many young people today ignore early signs of serious illnesses, mistaking them for minor issues.

Sore throats, for example, are common.

But as one persists for weeks, is accompanied by hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or ear pain, it could indicate something much more serious.

In Minh’s case, it was can:cer linked to prolonged exposure to some dietary and lifestyle risks.