Risk Factors for Cancer of Larynx or Throat Cancer or Laryngeal Cancer

Risk Factors for Cancer of Larynx or Throat Cancer or Laryngeal Cancer

A risk factor is something that increases the chance of acquiring a disease. This doesn't mean that a person without a risk factor will not acquire a cancer. That is not all; even having a risk factor doesn't make it mandatory that the person develops cancer.

Smoking

Smoking is the most important risk factor. Use of tobacco products multiplies the risk of acquiring laryngeal cancer. Death from laryngeal cancer is 20 times more likely for heavy smokers than for nonsmokers.

Alcohol

Heavy consumption of alcohol, especially alcohol spirits is the second major risk factor. It is important to know that together the two vices can play havoc on health and in some may make them prone to cancer. If you are a chain smoker and also an alcoholic - Beware - this cancer can strike you unannounced.

Other identified risk factors are:

• Male gender: Men are four times more likely than women to get

  laryngeal cancer

• Age: Those above the age of 55 years are at a higher risk
• Occupation: Occupational exposure to asbestos, sulphuric acid mist or nickel increases the risk of getting the cancer
• Low socio economic status
• A history of head and neck cancer: A person with a previous history of head and neck cancer is at a higher risk (25%) of developing a second cancer of head, neck, or lung(2^✔)

References:

1. Head and Neck: Laryngeal Tumors: An Overview - (http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Tumors/LaryngealOverviewID5087.html)
2. Risk Factors for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers - (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html)
3. Laryngeal (Larynx) Cancer - (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/)
4. Signs and Symptoms of Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers - (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/laryngeal-and-hypopharyngeal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html)
5. The Laryngectomee Guide - (https://www.entnet.org/sites/default/files/LaryngectomeeGuide.pdf)
6. Common Symptoms of Laryngeal or Voice Box Cancer - (https://www.rogelcancercenter.org/head-and-neck-cancer/voicebox/what-patients-should-know)
7. Laryngeal Cancer Treatment (Adult) - Patient Version - (https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/adult/laryngeal-treatment-pdq)
8. Follow-Up after Treatment for Laryngeal Cancer - (https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/laryngeal/treatment/follow-up/?region=on)