Rise of oral cancer

Not just tobacco, oral cancer has other risk factors too

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THERE ARE MANY causes of oral cancer, and not just tobacco use. Dr Ankit Jain, senior consultant, medical oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, explains the risk factors for oral cancer. "The most significant causes are tobacco use (including smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco) and excessive alcohol consumption, especially when both habits are combined. Other important risk factors include infection with certain strains of HPV, particularly HPV-16, which is increasingly linked to cancers at the base of the tongue and tonsils.

Chronic irritation from poorly fitting dentures, sharp teeth, or other sources of persistent trauma may also play a minor role. Additionally, a diet low in fruits and vegetables can increase risk, as can excessive sun exposure, which is linked to lip cancer. Genetic predisposition and a weakened immune system can further elevate the likelihood of developing oral cancer."