Who is at risk for head and neck cancer?

Variable: Patients at high risk for head/neck cancer are those with history of alcohol use, long-term smoking, tobacco chewing, human papilloma virus infection, chewing betel nuts, chronic use of ill-fitting dentures, and poor dental & oral hygiene.

SMOKERS: Smoking and drinking are the biggest risk factors for head and neck cancer. Chewing tobacco also increases the risk. Human papilloma virus is now becoming another risk factor.

Several risks: The majority of people who get squamous cell cancer of head and neck have a strong history of tobacco use (either smoking or chewing) and/or alcohol use. Certain throat cancers can be caused by a virus called hpv. There are other less common cancers that have other risk factors. The best thing you can do to reduce your risk is to eliminate tobacco use and moderate your alcohol consumption.