Researchers involved in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium have reported that smoking cessation for one to four years resulted in a 30% reduction in the risk of head and neck cancer. A benefit of cessation of alcohol drinking, however, was not observed until after 20 years or more. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the International Journal of Epidemiology on October 5, 2009.[1]

The combination of smoking and alcohol use is believed to account for roughly 75% of all cases of head and neck cancer. Because these two exposures often occur in combination, it can be difficult to assess the independent effect of each (the effect of smoking in the absence of alcohol and vice versa). An international study has concluded that smoking and alcohol each independently increase risk of developing head and neck cancer. This study assessed the independent effects of tobacco and alcohol on the risk of head and neck cancer by combining information from 15 previously published studies involving over 10,000 persons with head and neck cancer. Smoking was estimated to account for roughly 24% of cases of head and neck cancer that occur among nondrinkers. Among never smokers, heavy alcohol consumption was linked with an increased risk of certain types of head and neck cancer. Risk was increased among people who consumed three or more drinks per day. Heavy alcohol consumption was estimated to account for roughly 7% of cases of head and neck cancer that occur among nonsmokers.

The current study involved patients in 13 studies of drinking cessation and 17 studies of smoking cessation. These authors observed that quitting smoking for one to four years was associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of head and neck cancer compared with currently smoking persons. Risk reduction reached the level of non-smokers for persons who had quit smoking for 20 or more years. However, the incidence of head and neck cancers did not reach the level of non-drinkers until 20 years after cessation of drinking.

Comments: These data suggest that smoking cessation has a more immediate effect on head and neck cancer incidence than does drinking cessation. Quitting both, however, will significantly lower the risk in time.

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