You are considered to be in the high risk patient group for Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC), and should speak to your doctor about annual screening for this type of cancer.

You are considered moderate patient group, consult your doctor about annual screening for this type of cancer.

You are considered to be among the low risk patient group. This will not exclude your chances of developing Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC), but you are in the generally low risk population of 1 out of 100,000.

These results do not mean you will always be at a much higher than average risk or will or will not develop cancer at some point in your life. But this report can help you understand what may be putting you at risk for developing nasopharyngeal cancer and what you can do to help lower your risk. If you make changes, come back in the future to see how your risk may have changed.

Your results were calculated based on your age, sex and the answer you provided. These results are based on best available current information but cancer is a complex disease and not all factors that may affect a person’s risk are known or can be measured. If you are under 30 or have had cancer, these results may be less accurate. For more information about this and other cancers, and/or how to improve your health, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner.

• You smoke cigars and cigarettes.¹

• You have a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer.²

• You are from the high risk NPC endemic areas.³

• You are from the moderate risk area. Please consult with your physician if regular monitoring is right for you.³

• You consume salted fish or other preserved foods regularly in your diet.^{4, 5}

• You use Traditional Chinese Medicine on occasion.⁶

• Your age group is in the moderate to high range, as the risk of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) sharply increases after age 30.

   

  The age range of NPC has been shown to be as young as 4 to over 90. However, NPC incidence seems to begin at 25 to 30 years of age.⁷

• You are in the peak range for Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC). The risk factor is considered very high in this age group.

   

  NPC incidence rises sharply from the age of 30 and peaks around 55 years of age. Statistics show that over 60-80% of cases occur in the 30-70 age group.⁷

• Your age group’s risk is considered very high as Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) incidence peak around 55-60 range.

   

  The age range of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) has been shown to be as young as 4 to over 90. NPC incidence starts to decrease from peak around 60 years.⁷

• A male’s risk is 3 times higher than that of a female’s.⁸

• You have occupational exposure to wood dust and formaldehyde.^{9, 10}

• Your age group is considered low.

   

  The age range of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) diagnosis has been shown to be as young as 4 and as old as over 90. However, majority of NPC cases seems to begin after 25-30 years of age. If your children are young (less than 25), their chances of developing NPC are likely very low, but they can still be at risk.⁷

• Your age group is considered low.

   

  The age range of Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) has been shown to be as young as 4 to as old as over 90. After the peak ages of 35 to 55, NPC incidence begins to decrease around 60 years of age.⁷

• The male to female ratio is approximately 3 to 1. So compared to men, a woman’s risk is considered moderate.⁸

• Environmental Factors is not a risk factor to you.

   

  However, keep in mind that some of the known environmental trigger for Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) are consumption of salted fish and preserved foods, occupational exposures to wood dust and chronic smoking.

• You are from the low risk region of the world. Normally the risk of having Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) is less than 1 person per 100,000.³

Screening saves lives. Regular screening is the most important thing you can do to stay protected from nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). In fact, if nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is caught early, there is a 90% chance it can be cured.

Regardless of your overall risk level, because you have reported a first degree family member with a history of nasopharyngeal cancer, you are in a special category of individuals who should talk to their family doctor about nasopharyngeal cancer screening.

Studies have shown that the risk of developing nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is 2-15 times greater compared to the general population in endemic regions or very common for a person with a first-, second-, or third-degree relative diagnosed with NPC.

Limit or avoid consumption of salted fish or other preserved foods.
One of the most potent and confirmed risk factors for Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC) is salty fish consumption. Certain foods (particularly fish and food preserved in salt) contain a known carcinogen (cancer causing) N-nitrosamine, and other related substances.

Commit to quit smoking.
Smoking is the main risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma, a form of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).

Results from a number of prospective epidemiological studies of the occurrence and risks in certain groups revealed that chronic smoking was a risk factor to NPC. Most studies performed in China and the United States showed that drinking alcohol did not have a significant role in the development of NPC.

Know your Traditional Chinese Medicine well. Consult your TCM specialist for opinions and advise.
Some research studies suggest that some components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may have cancer causing agents and associated with higher risk of cancer such as Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC). Some elements in the traditional medicines can activate latent form of Epstein-Barr (EBV) in the cells that are known to cause NPC. Know your medications well and consult with your TCM physician for more details before treatment.

You have a family history of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).
Having a first degree relative with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) increases the risk of being diagnosed for NPC approximately 2 to 15 times, compared to the general population in endemic or very common regions. In fact, 30% of affected family members are usually parents, while 70% are siblings. The period between the affected parent and child being diagnosed is about 25 years. The period between affected siblings being diagnosed is about 5 years. Keep in mind that regular screening for nasopharyngeal cancer may help to reduce your risk by catching pre-cancerous and cancerous changes early.

You have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) associated with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is transmitted through saliva or mucus and lives in the nose and throat.

EBV infection is very common throughout the world, often occurring in childhood. 50% of kids are infected before the age of 5. You may not be aware, but you could be likely to have EBV in your system just like 95% of the adult population around the world.

EBV was classified by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) as a Class I carcinogen for NPC in 1997; however, EBV alone is not sufficient to cause NPC. NPC has a multifactorial etiology, which means it has many causes involving viral, genetic and environmental factors that can contribute to the development of NPC.

While there’s nothing you can do about having EBV, you can help reduce your risk of NPC by making lifestyle changes, as much as possible.