Finding his voice again after laryngeal cancer

Ang Boon Kok, now 51 years old, faced a major change in his life when he underwent a total laryngectomy in 2016 due to laryngeal cancer. The surgery involved the removal of his voice box, leaving him to adjust to a new way of speaking and breathing. Initially, the prospect of never speaking normally again terrified him. However, he found solace in the Malaysia Laryngectomee Association, where he met other laryngectomees who shared their experiences and helped him feel more at ease.

Ang now communicates using a voice prosthesis, which allows air from his lungs to create vibrations that form words. This required time and patience, as he had to learn a completely new way of speaking. Despite the challenges, he has adapted well and continues to enjoy daily activities with his family. Ang's own journey has allowed him to become a source of encouragement for other patients, demonstrating that life after a laryngectomy remains full of possibilities.

Consultant otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon Dr Lum Sai Guan advises that persistent hoarseness or a change in voice quality lasting more than three weeks should be taken seriously, as early detection can help preserve the voice box through radiotherapy or laser surgery.