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Cancer is an umbrella term for a wide range of diseases that form from abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer
often has the ability to spread throughout your body and treatment outcomes depend on how far the cancer has spread so it is important to recognise the early warning signs. One lesser-known
area where symptoms can show up is the nose and if you experience symptoms here you may have nasal and sinus cancer. “These may include a test to examine your nose and throat closely. The
doctor may also take a small sample of tissue (biopsy) to make a diagnosis,” explains the charity. HOW TO TREAT IT Your treatment will depend on the position, stage and grade of the cancer,
as well as your general health. According to the NHS, treatment may include: * Surgery to remove a tumour – this can be performed through open surgery or as keyhole surgery through the nose
(endoscopic microsurgery) * Radiotherapy – where high-energy radiation is used to kill the cancerous cells, shrink a tumour before surgery, or destroy small pieces of a tumour that may be
left after surgery * Chemotherapy – where medicine is used to help shrink or slow down the growth of a tumour, or reduce the risk of the cancer returning after surgery As the health body
notes, the outlook varies depending on the specific type of nasal and sinus cancer you have, its exact location, how far it's spread before being diagnosed and treated, and your overall
level of health and fitness. Cancer of the nasal cavity generally has a better outlook than cancer of the sinuses, however. WHO IS AT RISK? The exact causes of nasal and sinus cancer are
not known but certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing it. Smoking is one of the primary risk factors associated with nasal and sinus cancer, as Cancer Research UK
explains: “Cigarettes contain nitrosamines and other chemicals that cause cancer. When you smoke, the smoke may pass through your nasal cavity on its way to your lungs.” In fact, your risk
increases the longer you smoke, and if you smoke a lot, your risk increases even more, warns the charity. “Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and will reduce the
risk of developing cancer,” advises the health body. Research also suggests that working in some jobs increases your risk of developing cancers in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
This is because they can expose you to certain chemicals. The Health and Safety Executive produced a report in 2012 that looked at whether there were particular occupations that increase the
risk of nasal and paranasal cancers. The health body stated that around a third of nasal and paranasal sinus cancers are linked to occupation. The following chemicals may increase your
risk: * Wood dust – people who work in carpentry, including furniture and cabinet makers, wooden floors and any other wood related industry * Leather dust – shoe makers may be exposed to
leather dust * Chromium - is a chemical used in stainless steel, textiles, plastics, leather. The use of chromium is now restricted in Europe. * Nickel – is a metal used to make stainless
steel * Formaldehyde – an industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials, and household products * Cloth fibres - people who work in the textile manufacturing may be
exposed to these fibres According to the NHS, another risk factor is human papillomavirus (HPV) – a group of viruses that affect the skin and moist membranes, such as the mouth and throat
(more than one in five nasal and sinus cancers are linked to HPV).