Causes of throat cancer
Scientists are currently not sure what the exact causes of throat cancer are. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of throat cancer.
Risk factors of throat cancer
Men develop throat cancer much more often than women do. You are more likely to develop throat cancer if you engage in the following habits:
● Smoking
● Using tobacco products
● Drinking too much
● Poor nutrition
● Being around asbestos
● Poor dental hygiene
● GERD
● Epstein -Barr virus
● Genetic syndromes
○ Fanconi anemia
● Race and ethnicity – black and white Americans are more likely to develop in in comparison to the rest of the population.
You are at significant risk of developing throat cancer if you have specific strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). interestingly enough, having the following diseases puts you at higher risk of developing throat cancer:
● Esophageal
● Lung
● Bladder
Preventing throat cancer
While doctors and medical researchers are researching to develop a methodology that would ultimately prevent you from getting throat cancer, you can dramatically reduce your risk of developing it by doing the following:
● Quitting smoking
● Drinking less alcohol
● Eating and drinking healthy food and beverages
● Regularly exercising
● Reducing your risk of contracting HPV
Quitting to smoke
You need to stop smoking and using tobacco products entirely to reduce your risk of developing throat cancer dramatically. It is very difficult to leave, especially if you smoke. However certain gums and patches which contain nicotine can help. You may find that counseling and peer support helps as well.
Drinking less alcohol
If you are a man and you don’t want to develop throat cancer, you should not drink more than two alcoholic drinks daily. The number is one if you are a woman.
Eating and drinking healthy foods and beverages
Since there is a slight link between developing throat cancer and being vitamin deficient, make sure that you eat foods and drink beverages which are high in essential vitamins. This includes drinking fruit, vegetable smoothies and drinking milk and juices (fruit or vegetable). It also includes eating a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and vegetables in general. You want to eat as many colored fruits and vegetables as possible. Taking vitamin supplements may help.
Regularly exercising
You should exercise for at least two and a half hours a week to minimize your risk of developing throat cancer.
Reducing your risk of contracting HPV
Practice safe sex by always using condoms. This is the case if you don’t know your sexual partner very well.
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