Detection And Prevention

Talk with your patients about these risk factors for head and neck cancer.

Tobacco tops the list of risk factors for head and neck cancer. This includes smoking or chewing tobacco, dipping snuff, and pipe smoking. When combined with alcohol use, the risk rises even more.

In addition, unprotected sun exposure, poor oral care (mouth and teeth), and HPV (human papillomavirus) can increase your risk.

Sun protection, regular dental visits, regular physicals, a nutritious diet, and regular exercise can reduce your risk for head and neck cancer. Screening tests for HPV are available to aid in detecting HPV oral cancer.

Recognizing head and neck cancer symptoms and scheduling regular visits with your dentist and health care provider can aid in early detection, which helps make cancers more treatable. If you have a family history of thyroid disease, you may benefit from thyroid screening.