Study Shows Smoking, Drinking, and Unhealthy Diets Significantly Increase Risk of Head and Neck Cancers

Key Takeaways

Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and poor diet are major risk factors for head and neck cancers (HNC), with HPV contributing to rising cases in younger adults.
Smoking most elevates laryngeal cancer risk, followed by oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers; diets rich in fruits/whole grains lower risk.
Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol, and improving diet can significantly reduce HNC risk, supporting public health campaigns for lifestyle changes.

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are cancers that arise from the head and neck region. They make up about 4% of all cancers and over 90% of them are squamous cell carcinomas. They typically occur in the older population, usually above 50 years, however, their occurrence in the young is increasing due to human papillomavirus.

Scan of Head and Neck Cancer

The cause of head and neck cancers is unknown however, some lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet have been proven to be contributory factors to its occurrence.

Concerning cancers in general, scientists estimate that tobacco smoking leads to a mortality rate of 25 to 30%, an unhealthy diet leads to a 30 to 35% mortality rate and alcohol leads to as high as 28%.

Lifestyle factors could lead to head and neck cancers

Scientists have decided to find out the specific connection between HNCs and lifestyle factors. Daniel Lander and his colleagues set out to determine how factors like drinking, smoking, and unhealthy diets led to HNCs.

They recruited participants from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Screening Trial, 139,926 in total. They were recruited from 10 U.S. centers all over the country from 1993 to 2001. The participants’ ages ranged from 55 to 74 years. They eventually matched the participants who developed HNC with a control group that matched their socio-demographic details.

On result analysis, they discovered that the risk of developing a cancerous lesion in the head and neck increased as the site approached the lungs. This means that individuals with these unhealthy lifestyle practices have an increased risk of developing laryngeal cancer followed by oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the oral cavity.

From the study, people who smoked had an elevated risk of developing laryngeal cancer. 246 participants who smoked developed HNC. The risk of HNC increased with drinking and decreased with the inclusion of healthy foods like whole grains and fruits in the diet.

Clinical significance

With this solid evidence of risk factors for HNC, health workers, agencies and organizations can develop a nationwide health campaign on the need to stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, and incorporate healthy foods into their diet. This study shows that lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce the occurrence of cancer.

Head and Neck Cancer FAQs: What You Need to Know

What are the most common types of head and neck cancer?
Over 90% are squamous cell carcinomas, affecting areas like the mouth, throat (oropharynx), and voice box (larynx).

How does HPV increase HNC risk?
HPV (human papillomavirus) is linked to rising oropharyngeal cancers in younger adults, even among non-smokers/drinkers.

Can lifestyle changes really prevent HNC?
Yes! Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and eating fruits/whole grains significantly lower risk, per large-scale studies.

What are early signs of head and neck cancer?
Persistent sore throat, mouth ulcers, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained lumps in the neck.

Are HNCs treatable if caught early?
Yes—early detection improves outcomes. Regular check-ups are critical for high-risk individuals (smokers, heavy drinkers, HPV+).

Does alcohol type (beer vs. liquor) affect risk?
No—any alcohol increases risk. Quantity and duration matter more than type.

How does diet impact HNC risk?
Unhealthy diets (low in fruits/vegetables) worsen risk, while antioxidants in plant-based foods may protect cells from damage.

Is vaping safer than smoking for HNC risk?
Evidence is limited, but vaping still exposes users to carcinogens. Quitting all tobacco products is safest.

Are men more at risk than women?
Yes—men are 2–3x more likely to develop HNC, partly due to higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, and HPV exposure.

Can vaccines like HPV shots prevent HNC?
HPV vaccines (e.g., Gardasil) protect against strains linked to oropharyngeal cancer, offering prevention for younger generations.

Conclusion

The study showed that head and neck cancers can be prevented by avoiding smoking, cessation of alcohol intake, and eating healthy food. More studies are needed to discover more risk factors that can lead to HNCs and cancers in general.

References

Lander, P. D., Kallogheri, D., & Piccirillo, J. F. (2024) Smoking, Drinking, and Dietary Risk Factors for Head and Neck Cancer in Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial Participants. JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2023.4551