NPC affects more men than women. In Singapore, NPC is the 10th most common cause of cancer death in males and one of the most common cancers in males aged between 30 and 49 years old. This cancer also tends to run in the family i.e. patients with relatives with NPC are at a higher risk of developing the cancer.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you. If you have a strong family history of NPC (two or more first degree relatives with NPC), you may also wish to see a doctor to be screened for NPC.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan may be ordered. In this scan, a low-level radioactive substance is injected to determine if there is spread of cancer to the rest of the body. A CT scan of the chest and abdomen, and bone scan may also be used.
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