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Head and Neck Cancer: Prevention, Genetics, Causes

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Prevention

  • Oral Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)
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    Expert-reviewed information summary about factors that may influence the risk of developing cancer of the lip or mouth and about approaches that may help in the prevention of this disease.
  • Cigarette Smoking: Health Risks and How to Quit (PDQ®)
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    Expert-reviewed information summary about research and guidelines focused on the prevention and cessation of cigarette smoking.
  • Smoking Home Page
    Free help to quit smoking, plus information on smoking and cancer, secondhand smoke, cigarettes and other tobacco products, tobacco research, and statistics.
  • Smokefree.gov
    Offers science-driven tools, information, and support that have been effective in helping smokers quit.
  • Smokeless Tobacco
    NCI's gateway for information about chewing tobacco and snuff.

Genetics

  • Understanding Gene Testing
    Illustrates what genes are, explains how mutations occur and are identified within genes, and discusses the benefits and limitations of gene testing for cancer and other disorders.
  • Cancer Genetics Services Directory
    Directory of professionals who provide services related to cancer genetic risk assessment, counseling, and testing.
  • Cancer Genetics Overview (PDQ®)
    [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary in which the features of hereditary cancer and the structure and content of other PDQ cancer genetics summaries are described. The summary also contains an extensive list of genetics resources available online.

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Smoking Cessation and Continued Risk in Cancer Patients (PDQ®)
    [ patient ] [ health professional ]
    Expert-reviewed information summary about the influence of continued smoking on cancer treatment and risk of second cancers. Interventions to encourage smoking cessation are also discussed.
  • HPV Infection Drives Disparity in Head and Neck Cancer Survival
    A study published in the July 29, 2009 issue of Cancer Prevention Research shows that black patients with head and neck cancer have dramatically lower rates of HPV infection than white patients and that HPV status directly correlates with the significant survival differences between the two patient groups.
  • Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting
    A fact sheet that lists some of the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke and describes the health problems caused by smoking and the benefits of quitting.
  • Cigar Smoking and Cancer
    A fact sheet about the health risks associated with cigar smoking.
  • Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer
    A fact sheet about the health risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco.
  • Secondhand Smoke and Cancer
    A fact sheet that summarizes the studies on the health effects of exposure to environmental (secondhand) tobacco smoke.
  • Asbestos Exposure and Cancer Risk
    A fact sheet about asbestos, asbestos-related diseases, and who to contact for more information.