Approximately 35,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year—according to the National Institutes of Health. The disease will strike two men for every woman.
Research has identified a number of factors that may lead to oral cancer. Lifestyle choices including the use of tobacco and alcohol are the biggest cause of oral cancer. Other factors include poor oral hygiene, irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures, poor nutrition, chronic infections and a combination of all these factors. In recent years the sexually transmitted HPV16 virus has been a rising factor inoral cancer, especially among young adults. It is important to note that about 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.
Studies show that the death rate from oral cancer is about four times higher for cigarette smokers than for non-smokers. Those who drink alcohol and smoke are 15 times more likely to develop the disease than those who engage in only one of these activities.
In addition, it is widely believed in the medical field that the heat generated by smoking pipes and cigars irritates the mouth and can lead to lip cancer. Prolonged sun or tanning bed exposure also puts you at risk for lip cancer.
Folks that are over the age of 40 are at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer, along with heavy drinkers and smokers, and users of smokeless tobacco including snuff. However, the number of people under 40 who have been diagnosed with oral cancer has been increasing.
We recommend that everyone perform an oral cancer self-exam each month. If you are at high risk (see the above paragraph) for oral cancer you should see your general dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an annual exam.
Resources and Links:
http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/index
