Risk Factors and Prevention

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

Two factors greatly increase the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer:

Tobacco use. Use of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff, is the single largest risk factor for head and neck cancer.

Alcohol. Frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of head and neck cancer is linked to tobacco use. Using alcohol and tobacco together increases this risk even more. Second-hand smoke may also increase a person’s risk of head and neck cancer.

Other factors that can raise a person’s risk of developing laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer include:

Gender. Men are four to five times more likely than women to develop laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Age. People over 55 are at higher risk, although younger people may also develop the disease.

Race. Black people are more likely than white people to develop laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Occupational inhalants. Exposure to asbestos, wood dust, paint fumes, and certain chemicals may increase a person’s risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Poor nutrition. A diet low in vitamins A and E can raise a person’s risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Foods that are rich in these vitamins may help prevent laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Chronic reflux of stomach acid into the larynx and pharynx may be associated with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. This may or may not be associated with the symptoms of heartburn.

Human papillomavirus (HPV). Exposure to this virus has been identified as a risk factor in about one-third of laryngeal cancers in the supraglottis, but rarely for hypoharyngeal cancer. HPV is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome. This rare condition involves iron deficiency and causes difficulty swallowing. The presence of this disease increases the risk of hypopharyngeal cancer.

Prevention and Early Detection

Although some of the risk factors for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer cannot be changed, many risks can be avoided by making certain lifestyle changes. Stopping the use of tobacco products is the most important thing a person can do, even for people who have been smoking for many years.

People who use alcohol and tobacco should receive a general screening examination at least once a year. This is a simple and quick procedure in which the doctor looks in the nose, mouth, and throat for abnormalities and feels for lumps in the neck. If anything unusual is found, the doctor will recommend a more extensive examination.

Reduce your risk of HPV infection by limiting the number of sex partners, because having many partners increases the risk of HPV infection. Using a condom cannot fully protect you from HPV during sex.