Head and neck cancer risk factors
Why do people get head and neck cancer?
Across all the people who get it, there’s no single reason why cancer occurs. Any
one person’s risk of the disease is affected by various things—some of which can
be changed, and some of which cannot.
The risk of getting head and neck cancer is affected by several things—some you
can change, and some you can't. Exercising regularly, eating well, and avoiding
risk factors may help reduce your risk of developing some types of cancer. But you
can’t change your genetic risk. So, while a healthy lifestyle may lower
your risk, it won’t prevent you from getting cancer.
What are some of the risk factors of head and neck cancers?
The number one head and neck cancer risk that you can control is tobacco use. Tobacco
use—of both tobacco for smoking and smokeless tobacco—is linked to 85% of all cases
of head and neck cancer.
Another major risk factor is alcohol use. Using both tobacco and alcohol puts someone
at a greater risk for head and neck cancer than using either tobacco or alcohol
on its own.
Other head and neck cancer risk factors include the following, listed according
to where the cancer arises:
- Mouth: Exposure to the sun, for the lips. Infection with human
papillomavirus (HPV) may also be a risk factor
- Salivary glands: Radiation, from diagnostic X-rays, or due to radiation
therapy for cancer or another condition
- Nose and sinuses: Inhaling certain industrial substances, such
as wood or nickel dust
- Throat (pharynx): People of Asian descent are more at risk for
cancers of the throat than others. Risk factors include infection with a cancer-causing
virus in the herpes family called Epstein-Barr virus; inhaling wood dust; eating
certain preservatives; eating salty foods; and poor oral hygiene. Infection with
HPV may also be a risk factor for throat cancer
- Voice box (larynx): Breathing in asbestos
If you’re worried that you may be at risk for a cancer of the head and neck, you
should talk with your healthcare team about ways you can reduce your risk. This
may involve changing your lifestyle and making healthy choices like quitting smoking.
It’s also important to have regular checkups, since cancer is much easier to treat
if it’s detected early.
What are genes, and how do they
affect cancer risk?