Reducing your risk for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer

You may lower your risk of developing cancer of the nasal cavity or a paranasal sinus by doing the following.

Follow occupational health and safety guidelines

Being exposed to wood dust, leather dust, and other types of dust or fumes from certain chemicals is the most significant risk factor for cancer of the nasal cavity or a paranasal sinus. Follow occupational health and safety measures and wear appropriate equipment to help reduce your risk.

Live smoke-free

Smoking tobacco is a risk factor for cancer of the nasal cavity or a paranasal sinus. Don’t start using tobacco in any form (cigarettes, cigars or pipes). If you currently use tobacco, get help to quit. Quitting tobacco lowers your risk for cancer of the nasal cavity or a paranasal sinus. Former tobacco users have a lower risk than current users. The risk of cancer decreases with the number of years since you quit using tobacco.

More information about reducing your risk of cancer

Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Expert review and references

  • American Cancer Society. Can Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinus Cancers Be Prevented?. 2017.
  • Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer: risk factors and prevention. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Cancer.Net. Alexandria, VA.: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); 2014.
  • Bossi P, Faroma D, Gatta G. et al. Paranasal sinus cancer. Critical Reviews in Oncology Hematology. 2016.
  • Charbotel B, Fervers B, Droz JP. Occupational exposures in rare cancers: A critical review of the literature. Critical Reviews in Oncology Hematology. 2014.
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Volume 62: Wood Dust and Formaldehyde. 1995. http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol62/mono62.pdf.
  • Mendenhall WM, Werning JW, Pfister DG. Cancer of the head and neck. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 38: 422-473.
  • Steenland K, Zahm SH, Blair A. Occupational cancer. Thun MJ (ed.). Schottenfeld and Fraumeni Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 4th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2018: 16: 275-290.
  • Thun MJ, Freedman ND. Tobacco. Thun MJ (ed.). Schottenfeld and Fraumeni Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 4th ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2018: 11: 185-211.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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