Probably the most frequent cancers in the USA embrace breast, lung, colorectal and pores and skin (melanoma). Nonetheless, much less frequent cancers might be simply as critical. Head and neck cancers, for instance, account for practically 4% of all cancers in the USA and have an effect on tens of 1000’s of individuals worldwide.
Head and neck most cancers refers to a gaggle of cancers that begin within the sinuses, nostril, mouth, throat, larynx, lips and salivary glands. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) are among the many principal danger elements for head and neck cancers.
It’s additionally considerably extra frequent in males than ladies and in Black folks than white folks. When caught early, many head and neck cancers are curable, however typically you’ll be able to forestall them within the first place.
Listed here are 7 methods to assist cut back your danger of head and neck cancers.
1. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco Merchandise
Utilizing tobacco merchandise, comparable to cigarettes and chewing tobacco, can considerably improve your danger for head and neck cancers. The truth is, smoking and utilizing tobacco is the most important danger issue for this group of cancers. As much as 80% of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use. Not solely do you have to quit smoking should you do, it’s best to cease use of all tobacco merchandise, together with cigars, pipes and snuffs.
Individuals with a historical past of head and neck most cancers must also keep away from publicity to secondhand smoke throughout remission. Some analysis suggests that secondhand smoke can have an effect on their recurrence and survival charge.
2. Restrict Your Use of Alcohol
Like tobacco, alcohol could cause most cancers, and it’s a recognized danger issue for head and neck cancers. It’s additionally a serious danger issue for recurrence in survivors.
The danger will increase the extra you drink, so it’s attainable to decrease your danger by quitting or consuming carefully. That’s as much as one alcoholic drink per day for girls.
3. Get the HPV Vaccine
HPV is a standard viral an infection. It’s additionally a danger issue for varied cancers, together with head and neck cancers that begin behind the throat.
HPV vaccines can forestall oral HPV infections, which might cut back sure head and neck cancers, comparable to throat and again of mouth cancers. Since HPV is likely one of the three main danger elements for head and neck cancers — together with tobacco and alcohol use — asking a healthcare skilled about vaccination towards HPV might decrease your danger.
Watch: Easy methods to Speak to Your Healthcare Supplier About Getting HPV Vaccine as an Grownup >>
4. Follow Correct Solar Safety
Some cancers that happen on the top and neck begin on the lips. So an excessive amount of publicity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation might improve the danger of growing lip cancers on the top and neck. Some methods to decrease the danger of head and neck cancers embrace making use of sunscreen to the lips, sporting wide-brimmed hats and avoiding tanning beds.
5. Decrease Publicity to Toxins in Occupational Settings
There’s a hyperlink between head and neck cancers and sure occupations. Cooks, cleaners and painters could also be at increased danger due to toxins of their workspaces. Nonetheless, taking sure precautions, comparable to using the right private protecting tools (PPE), might assist decrease the dangers. In case you have issues about your danger of publicity at work, speak to your supervisor or HR consultant. If you happen to don’t really feel such as you’re being heard, take into account submitting a criticism with OSHA.
6. Schedule Annual Dental Visits for Routine Exams
Since some head and neck cancers start within the mouth, it’s essential to observe correct oral care. This contains at-home care, comparable to brushing your enamel and flossing, in addition to routine dental visits. There aren’t routine screening exams for head and neck cancers, however your dentist could search for cancerous lesions within the mouth throughout routine exams.
It’s typically really useful to schedule a dental check-up a few times a yr. These visits could also be lined by your non-public healthcare plan, however dental insurance coverage isn’t lined on all plans provided beneath the Reasonably priced Care Act (ACA). You might be able to discover free or low-cost dental companies close to you. Cell dental clinics are typically additionally a useful resource for underserved areas.
7. Ask a Healthcare Skilled About Screening
Early detection of head and neck most cancers might improve your survival charge, however there aren’t official pointers for routine screenings. Extra analysis is presently being achieved to find out if screenings forestall head and neck most cancers deaths.
For now, it’s best to assess your danger for head and neck cancers. If you happen to’re in danger, ask your healthcare supplier how one can get screened.
This instructional useful resource was created with assist from Merck.
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