Oral Cancer Overview: Risk Factors and Common Sites
Oral cancer can develop in various parts of the mouth and throat, including the tongue, tonsils, oropharynx, gums, floor of the mouth, lips, inner cheeks, and hard palate. Although it can affect anyone, men are twice as likely as women to be diagnosed with this disease. The risk is particularly high in men over 50 who smoke heavily and consume alcohol regularly. Additional risk factors include:
- UV Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps
- GERD: Chronic acid reflux
- Previous Radiation Therapy: Radiation exposure to the head and neck
- Chemical Exposure: Contact with certain toxic substances
- Poor Nutrition: Diets lacking essential nutrients
While recent advancements in early detection and treatment have helped reduce overall mortality rates, there has been a noticeable increase in oropharyngeal cancer cases, largely linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.
Raising Awareness About Oral Cancer
Despite ranking among the ten most common cancers worldwide, oral cancer has seen remarkable progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These improvements have significantly boosted survival rates—especially when the disease is detected early, with survival exceeding 80% in such cases.
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