Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancer includes several cancers that develop in areas such as the throat, mouth, voice box, and nasal cavity. Awareness, early detection, and lifestyle changes play a key role in prevention and improving outcomes.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary based on the location of the cancer, but it is important to see your health care provider if you notice:

• A lump or thickening in the throat
• Trouble eating or pain when swallowing
• Persistent pain in the throat
• Pain or ringing in the ears
• Blocked sinuses or sinus infections that don’t respond to antibiotics

Risk Factors

The exact cause of head and neck cancer isn’t always clear, but certain factors increase the risk, including:

• Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products like cigars or pipes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Previous radiation treatment
• Exposure to harmful inhalants, such as asbestos, wood dust, nickel alloy dust, and silica dust
• Being infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16

Prevention

To lower your risk of head and neck cancers, consider these lifestyle changes:

• Limit or avoid alcohol consumption
• Don’t smoke or if you do, quit
• Practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly
• Using protective equipment if exposed to harmful chemicals at work
• Maintain a healthy weight through a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

Screening

Standard screenings for head and neck cancers can be completed at your annual physical through an examination. Dentists and primary care physicians play a critical role in early detection of head and neck cancers through regular physical and oral examinations.

While there are no population-wide screening guidelines, people at high risk, such as those who use tobacco or alcohol, should undergo regular physical and dental checkups to identify early signs.

Head and neck cancers represent 4% of all cancer in the US, with approximately 66,000 cases diagnosed annually.