Throat Cancer Risk Factors

Throat Cancer Risk Factors

Throat cancer affects more men than women. It affects more people over 50 years of age than those under 50. Throat cancer risk factors include smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Smokers who drink heavily are at even greater risk for developing throat cancer.

The following are possible throat cancer risk factors:

• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Heavy alcohol use
• Poor nutrition (i.e., a diet low in fruits and vegetables)
• Asian ancestry
• Exposure to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• Being infected with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Having Plummer-Vinson syndrome (also called Paterson-Kelly syndrome and sideropenic dysphagia)

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