Anyone can get head and neck cancer. But knowing prevention and risk factors can help reduce your chances of acquiring these types of cancers.
Prevention
Reducing head and neck cancer risks requires lifestyle changes, such as:
- A healthy diet
- Regular exercise
- Eliminating tobacco and alcohol use
Talk to your doctor about ways to improve your health and reduce cancer risks.
Risk Factors for Head and Neck Cancers
There are several risk factors that can increase your chances of getting head and neck cancers.
They include:
- Environmental risk factors
- Behavioral risk factors
- Genetic (predisposed traits) risks
Environmental
- Exposure to known carcinogens, such as industrial toxins (asbestos and benzenes)
- Repeated exposure to chemicals in tobacco and tobacco smoke
Behavioral
- Tobacco use
- Secondhand smoke
- Alcohol use
Genetics
Predisposed to inheriting gene mutations from parents