Risk factors for oropharyngeal cancer
A risk factor is something that increases the risk of developing cancer. It could be a behaviour, substance or condition. Most cancers are the result of many risk factors. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most important risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. Until recently, smoking tobacco was the most important risk factor.
More men than women develop oropharyngeal cancer. Oropharyngeal cancer linked to an HPV infection tends to be seen in people 40 to 59 years of age. When this cancer is not linked to HPV, the risk for it usually increases with age and often develops in people older than 55 years of age.
Risk factors are generally listed in order from most to least important. But in most cases, it is impossible to rank them with absolute certainty.
Risk factors
There is convincing evidence that the following factors increase your risk for oropharyngeal cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Most oropharyngeal cancers are caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV infections are very common because the virus is easily passed by skin-to-skin contact with any HPV-infected area of the body. It is mainly spread through sexual contact, including oral sex.
Most sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some time in their life. Certain sexual behaviours and having many sex partners can increase a person’s chance of getting HPV. It can be present for years without symptoms. The virus can cause warts (called papillomas) in different parts of the body, including the genitals.
Find out more about HPV.
Smoking tobacco
Smoking tobacco is a major risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. All forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, cigars and pipes, increase your risk. The risk for oropharyngeal cancer increases with the amount and length of time you smoke.
Continuing to smoke after treatment for oropharyngeal cancer increases the risk of developing a second oropharyngeal cancer.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol increases your risk for developing oropharyngeal cancer. Using alcohol and tobacco together increases the risk of developing oropharyngeal cancer more than using either one alone. To reduce your cancer risk, it's best not to drink alcohol. Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health outlines the health risks of alcohol and can help you make an informed decision on whether you drink and how much. The less alcohol you drink, the lower your cancer risk.
Learn more about how to limit alcohol.
Combined tobacco and alcohol
Smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol together increases the risk for oropharyngeal cancer more than either smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol alone.
Certain genetic conditions
The following genetic conditions increase the risk of head and neck cancer, including oropharyngeal cancer.
Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic condition that affects the bone marrow so it can’t make normal blood cells.
Congenital dyskeratosis is a rare genetic condition that causes abnormally shaped fingernails and toenails, a lacy rash on the face and chest, white patches in the mouth and often bone marrow failure.
Possible risk factors
The following factors have been linked with oropharyngeal cancer, but there is not enough evidence to show for sure that they are risk factors. More research is needed to clarify the role of these factors for oropharyngeal cancer.
- second-hand smoke
- smokeless tobacco
- family history
- diet low in vegetables and fruit
- drinking very hot beverages such as maté
- areca nut and betel quid
Questions to ask your healthcare team
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about risks.