Cancer of the Larynx: Who’s at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of cancer of the larynx. Doctors cannot
explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. We do know that
cancer is not contagious. You cannot “catch” cancer from another
person.
People with certain risk factors are more likely to get cancer of the
larynx. A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing this disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors:
Age. Cancer of the larynx occurs most often in people over the age
of 55.
Gender. Men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of
the larynx.
Race. African Americans are more likely than whites to be diagnosed
with cancer of the larynx.
Smoking. Smokers are far more likely than nonsmokers to get cancer
of the larynx. The risk is even higher for smokers who drink alcohol heavily.
People who stop smoking can greatly decrease their risk of cancer of the
larynx, as well as cancer of the lung, mouth, pancreas, bladder, and esophagus.
Also, quitting smoking reduces the chance that someone with cancer of
the larynx will get a second cancer in the head and neck region. (Cancer of
the larynx is part of a group of cancers called
head and neck cancers.)
Alcohol. People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop laryngeal
cancer than people who don’t drink. The risk increases with
the amount of alcohol that is consumed.
The risk also increases if the person drinks alcohol and also smokes
tobacco.
A personal history of head and neck cancer. Almost
one in four people who have had head and neck cancer will develop a second
primary head and neck cancer.
Occupation.
Workers exposed to sulfuric acid mist or nickel have an increased risk
of laryngeal cancer. Also, working with
asbestos
can increase the risk of this disease.
Asbestos workers should follow work and safety rules to avoid inhaling
asbestos fibers.
Other studies suggest that having certain
viruses or a diet low in vitamin A may
increase the chance of getting cancer of the larynx. Another risk factor is
having gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), which causes stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus.
Most
people who have these risk factors do not get cancer of the larynx. If you are concerned about your chance of
getting cancer of the larynx, you should discuss this concern with your health
care provider. Your health care
provider may suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan an appropriate
schedule for checkups.
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