Head and neck cancer. These common myths may be deceiving him

Chead and neck ancro is a common designation to represent a set of cancers that affect these areas of the body. We are talking, for example, about laryngeal cancer, salivary glands, nasal fossae or facial skin.

This Monday marks the World Day of Head and Neck Cancer. Do you still believe some of the most common myths about these diseases? The experts at Colorado University Anschutz as well as the New Orleans medical and health school have clarified some of the myths related to these pathologies. Meet them

Head and neck cancer: Common Myths

Myth 1- Young people do not have head and neck cancer

The explanation: “ Most people have head and neck cancer around 60 to 70. But about 5% of our patients are under 40 years of age. I believe that part of this mistaken perception is due to the fact that many young people have fewer risk factors than the elderly, since they smoke less and consume less alcohol. In oral cavity tumors, especially in tongue cancer, we observed the greatest increase in young patients without apparent risk factors”, says doctor Carissa Thomas.

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Myth 2- Only those who smoke can develop this type of cancer

The explanation: “Historically, almost all patients with head and neck cancer were smokers, especially if the cancer was of oropharynx, oral cavity or larynx. In time, this scenario changed. Currently, a larger number of patients are developing oropharynx cancer due to HPV, especially younger ones, and less frequently due to smoking history”, continues.

Myth 3- There is no vaccine to prevent

The explanation: “ HPV vaccine is extremely important to reduce the risk of head and neck cancer. HPV virus infection usually occurs in childhood, at a time when people are not so concerned about cancer, and it may take up to 20 years to cause the disease. Therefore, vaccination is essential,” says Carissa Thomas.

Myth 4- Head and neck cancer is always fatal

The explanation: “In general, compared to other types of cancer, head and neck cancers do not have the highest survival rates in five years. We have plenty of room to improve that. One of the problems is that many cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages, which means that these patients have a lower survival rate.”

Myth 5- Cell phones can cause head and neck cancer

The explanation: “ I am not aware of any definitive evidence that proves a direct cause and effect relationship, or even an association, involving mobile phones. Use is so widespread, but there was no proportional increase in cancer cases. The type of radiation emitted does not damage cells.”

Myth 6- Ability to talk swallowing and breathing is always affected by this cancer

The explanation: “As a head and neck cancer surgeon, my goal is always to try to get people to return to their previous treatments in the best possible way. There are many advances in how we treat patients with different types of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgeries. The sooner we detect cancer, the easier the treatments will be,” says doctor Vilija Vaitaitis.