Mississippi State Department of Health

Head and Neck Cancers

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More than 100 Mississippians a year die from cancers of the mouth or throat.

Head and neck cancers are too common in Mississippi, and often go undetected until they develop into serious or life-threatening disease. Knowing the signs and causes of these cancers, and getting regular doctor and dentist visits are the best ways to stay free of these cancers.

Where Head and Neck Cancers Occur

  • The mouth, lips, tongue and gums (oral cancers)
  • The throat
  • The vocal cords
  • The sinuses

Symptoms can be as simple as a sore throat that won't go away, difficulty swallowing, or a sore in the mouth that doesn't heal. They all can be indicators of a serious cancerous condition, though.

Avoiding Head and Neck Cancers

Alcohol and Tobacco Are Leading Causes

Alcohol and tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke, are the most important contributors to mouth and throat cancers. The more you use alcohol, tobacco, or both, the greater your cancer risk.

Reducing alcohol use and quitting tobacco are powerful steps to reduce your cancer risk. Free help is available for quitting tobacco

HPV Infection Is a Preventable Cause

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection that rarely causes serious symptoms, but causes some specific oral cancers. Vaccination against HPV is highly effective against infection, though, and dramatically lowers the risk of these cancers, especially if you are vaccinated as a teen or young adult..

Oral cancers caused by HPV are significantly higher in men than women.

Symptoms

Head and neck cancers can have a variety of symptoms. Mention any pain or unusual conditions in the neck, mouth or ears to your dentist or doctor. Regular checkups with your dentist and doctor can also help find early symptoms of possible cancer.

Symptoms can include:

Prevention

Routine checkups with your doctor or dentist can detect early signs of possible cancer.

Quitting tobacco greatly decreases your oral cancer risk.

HPV vaccination is highly effective at preventing oral HPV infection.

Reducing alcohol consumption also reduces your cancer risk.

Learn More



Links referenced on this page
Tobacco Quitline: Free expert help quitting tobacco    http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/43,1774,94,html ok
More about benefits of quitting and ways to start    https://smokefree.gov/
More about HPV, cancer, and vaccination    https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/
Head and neck cancer information (CDC)    https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/headneck/

Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm

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