When you think of the risk factors of head and neck cancer that may affect young people, excessive smoking and drinking may seem like a reasonable connection. After all, 75 percent of these cancers are linked to alcohol and tobacco use.
But a rise in a certain type of head and neck cancer among young adults has nothing to do with drinking or smoking habits.
Dr. Persky is an otolaryngologist and surgeon at NYU Langone Health in New York City.
References
American Cancer Society. (2021). If you have head and neck cancer.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ACOS). Head and neck cancer: risk factors and prevention.
National Cancer Institute. (2021). Head and neck cancers.
Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). How can I make sure I don’t get or spread HPV?
Stenson, K.M. (2023). Epidemiology and risk factors for head and neck cancer. UpToDate.
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