Risks for salivary gland cancer
Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don’t have any risks.
Salivary gland cancer can occur at almost any age, but the risk increases as people get older. It occurs most often in people older than 50.
Exposure to radiation increases your risk for salivary gland cancer. In most cases, this risk can’t be changed because it comes from past exposure. Until we learn more, there are no specific ways to lower your risk for salivary gland cancer.
Exposure to radiation
People who have had radiation therapy to the head or neck and people who were exposed to ionizing radiation during atomic bomb explosions have a higher risk for salivary gland cancer.
People who have had many full-mouth dental
Possible risks
The following have been linked with an increased risk of salivary gland cancer, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:
-
treatment with iodine 131 (I-131), a type of
radioactive iodine , for thyroid cancer -
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection -
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection - smoking tobacco
Understanding your cancer risk
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.
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