What are the risk factors for head and neck cancers?

Risk factors for head and neck cancers include tobacco use (smoking and smokeless tobacco), excessive alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV16 and 18, exposure to certain occupational hazards like asbestos, wood dust, and certain chemicals, poor oral hygiene, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, genetic predisposition, and prior radiation exposure to the head and neck region. The combination of tobacco and alcohol use significantly increases the risk.

There are many risk factors for head and neck cancers.

Age and lifestyle factors, such as alcohol and tobacco use, are the biggest.

But risk factors vary, depending on the type of cancer.

• Laryngeal cancer
• Lip and oral cancer
• Oropharyngeal cancer

It's important to note that having any or all of the known risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will develop a head and neck cancer.

On the other hand, having no risk factors does not mean that a person cannot develop a head and neck cancer, either.

Smokers and drinkers who don't quit these lifestyle behaviors during and after treatment for a primary head and neck cancer are at a higher risk of developing another cancer.