There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of head & neck cancer.
By lowering your exposure to the below causes, you can reduce your risk:
- Tobacco smoking.
- Smokeless tobacco (betel quid).
- Alcohol.
- The human papillomavirus (HPV).
- X-radiation, gamma-radiation.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
- Formaldehyde.
- Strong inorganic acid mists.
- Asbestos.
- Salted fish, Chinese-style.
- Wood dust.
People without risk factors can also develop head & neck Cancer. However, you are more likely to have head & neck cancer if:
- You are an older person.
- You are male.
- You have had cancer in the past.
- You have a family history of cancer.
While some factors increase your risk of head & neck cancer, others have been shown to lower your risk:
- Fruit.
- Starchy vegetables.
- Vitamin C and calcium supplements.
- Caffeinated coffee.
- Green tea.
- Folate.
- Physical exercise.