WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home UNDERSTANDING HEAD AND NECK CANCER VIDEO: HEAD AND NECK CANCER JOURNEY IN THE U.S. … an estimated 61,760* NEW CASES will be diagnosed in 2016. *oral cavity, pharynx and larynx VIEW INFOGRAPHIC WORLDWIDE Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide with an estimated 686,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide each year. AREAS OF THE HEAD AND NECK WHERE CANCERS BEGIN: Paranasal sinuses & nasal cavity Oral Cavity Salivary glands Larynx Pharynx There are two factors that greatly increase the risk of head and neck cancer: Tobacco Use & Frequent and Heavy Consumption of Alcohol In fact, 85 percent of head and neck cancer cases are linked to tobacco use. While tobacco use is the number one risk factor for head and neck cancer, other risk factors include: Prolonged sun exposure Infection with cancer-causing types of human papillomavirus (HPV) Epstein-Barr virus Gender Age Race Poor oral/dental hygiene Environmental/occupational Inhalants Poor nutrition Gastroesophageal and laryngopharyngeal reflux diseases Weakened immune system ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Head and Neck Cancer Alliance Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) American Head and Neck Society Oral Cancer Foundation ACS CDC Copyright © 2009-2016 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map