What causes nasopharyngeal cancer?

The exact cause of nasopharyngeal cancer is unknown, buta number of factors can increase your risk of developing the condition. These include: being of south Chinese or north African descent having a diet very high in salt-cured meats and fish being exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes glandular fever having a job where you're regularly exposed to hardwood dust having a first-degree relative, such as a parent, who's had the condition Being exposed to the human papilloma virus (HPV) may also increase your risk of developing certain types of nasopharyngeal cancer. About three times as many men as women are affected by nasopharyngeal cancer, and the average age at diagnosis is about 50.
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