– How can we explain that Hauts-de-France is more affected by ENT cancers?
“By the fact that tobacco and alcohol poisoning remains quite high in the region. These are the two main risk factors. And we realized, a few decades ago, that the papillomavirus (HPV) also caused ENT cancers (1), especially in younger patients. And this proportion is increasing. »
– How to prevent them?
“By reducing the risk factors that we know very well, tobacco and alcohol. And, for HPV-induced cancers, by vaccination which is now recommended for all young people, boys and girls, between 11 and 14 years old. A catch-up is possible up to age 19. This is to prevent exposure. In countries where it has been done for much longer, it has shown a sharp reduction in cancers caused by HPV, even ENT. »
– What signs should alert you?
“Difficulty swallowing, voice changes, pain in the throat or mouth, bleeding from the mouth or lumps in the neck, in the mouth. These are signs that can be compared to a benign illness. But if you have one of these symptoms for more than three weeks, you should contact your doctor to be examined and see if there is a need for other tests, or a specialist consultation if necessary. »
– Is this type of cancer well treated?
“Yes, if caught early, like all cancers. The earlier they are taken, the greater the chance of recovery. In any case, these are cancers with good prognoses overall. There are three main types of treatment: radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. There are different indications for treatment depending on the stage of the cancer and its location. It remains a cancer that is easily treatable and preventable through these preventive measures. Often, in Hauts-de-France, we observe a later diagnosis which, in fact, leads to poorer prognoses. »
– And who is more affected?
“These cancers affect 70% men, 30% women, but we observe that they are increasingly impacted. And patients affected by cancers caused by the papillomavirus are younger than usual patients (between 50 and 64 years old). »
1. Cancers of the throat, larynx, tonsils, oral cavity, sinuses, etc. We are generally talking about head and neck cancers.
