The incidence of mouth and throat cancer in Kentucky is growing at an alarming pace. Hospitals and clinics across the Commonwealth see approximately 1,400 new mouth and throat cancer patients each year. Treatment often involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the three. While these treatments are effective and necessary, they may cause undesirable side effects such as loss of the ability to speak and swallow. These side effects can last for months or years and can range from mild hoarseness to near complete loss of voice. Read more.