About Head and Neck Cancer
Head and Neck Cancer
Head and neck tumors can form in the throat, mouth, voice box, nasal cavity, and sinuses. While some tumors in the head and neck are benign, most are cancers that can spread throughout the body. About four percent of all cancers in the U.S. are head and neck cancers. That means a little more than 60,000 people a year are diagnosed with this disease.
If these cancers grow large enough, they can be seen or felt by a physician or dentist.
When should I get screened?
All individuals should receive regular screenings for head and neck tumors. Luckily, if you go to the doctor and visit the dentist regularly, you have already had screening of your mouth for head and neck tumors. Screenings for head and neck tumors should also be a routine part of physical exams with your doctor.
Head and neck cancer screenings include a visual and physical examination of your head and neck. Looking in your mouth and throat and feeling along the glands and lymph nodes around the jaw, ears, and neck can be effective at identifying abnormalities.
If a physician or dentist finds a lump or sees a growth of concern, they will refer you to a specialist for more tests. Those tests, like a CT scan or a biopsy, can lead to a conclusive diagnosis.
Who is at a higher risk for developing head and neck cancer?
There are a few risk factors that increase your head and neck cancer risk over your lifetime. These include:
- Alcohol consumption, especially drinking heavily
- Smoking tobacco, marijuana, or vaping
- Being exposed to and contracting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
How can I reduce head and neck cancer risks?
Because some of the factors are lifestyle choices, individuals can lower their risk of head and neck cancer by cutting down on or completely stopping drinking alcohol and/or smoking.
Another proactive way to lower the risk of head and neck cancers is to prevent contracting the human papilloma virus, or HPV. The virus can also cause cervical cancer, but HPV-related cancers are preventable with an HPV vaccine. This makes HPV-related cancers the only cancers that are largely preventable through vaccination.
The CDC recommends a series of vaccinations (two or three doses) to children starting at ages 11-12 before they are exposed to the virus. Vaccinated children will be safe from several forms of HPV for the rest of their lives, effectively preventing several cancers. Parents can speak with their pediatrician to have their children vaccinated.
Adults can also receive the HPV series, and it is recommended for adults up to age 26. The FDA has approved the newest form of HPV vaccine for adults up to age 45 but for those older to middle-aged adults, the protective benefits of the vaccine may have lessened as their exposure to HPV has increased. Speaking with your physician will be important to discuss the pros and cons.
Is there an HPV screening for head and neck cancer?
While women can have HPV screenings for cervical cancer, a similar test is not available yet for head and neck cancers. The best form of reducing the lifetime risks of head and neck cancers is to get vaccinated for HPV and limit other behaviors that increase your risks such as the number of sexual partners.
What are my screening options?
There are a few simple ways to make sure you are regularly getting screened for head and neck tumors. Steps you can take to get screened include:
- Make an appointment with a provider, like a primary care physician, for an annual physical
- Get your teeth cleaned each year, or twice a year
- Set up appointment with your physician if you notice a change to your swallow, voice (hoarseness), taste or smell or if you feel a lump in your neck. These changes need prompt medical attention.
Tip: Appointments each year can become a normal part of your life. Set up your next appointment when leaving so you are getting checked regularly.
Symptoms of head and neck tumors
There are many different kinds of head and neck tumors, so there are many different early symptoms. The earliest symptoms of a head and neck tumor are often related to the kind of disease and place where the tumor is growing. Some symptoms can include:
- A lump that can be seen or felt through the skin
- A change in voice quality
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in your mouth including tongue, teeth, or even ears
- Decreased sense of smell or complete loss of smell
- Decreased sense of taste or complete loss of taste
- Many of these symptoms can be caused by common illnesses, like a cold or sinus infection. That is why it is important to get a physician’s input.
Get Screened and Learn More
Getting screened for head and neck cancer is a simple step you can take today. Use our ZIP code tool to set up an appointment with a provider near you.
To learn more about head and neck cancers, listen to “This is Cancer” Episode 10: Head and Neck Cancers: HPV Taking Center Stage.