According to an article by the American Association of Cancer Research, in 2001 “approximately 30,000 individuals developed cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, and pharynx” in the United States. Since that time the numbers have greatly increased due to HPV’s increase and other high-risk habits still being practiced.

Along with the use of tobacco products, alcohol use is another leading cause of oral cancer. The use of tobacco and alcohol together create an even higher risk of cancer. In fact the Nursing Times posted an article that states that approximately “three quarters of oral cancers are thought to be caused by smoking and drinking alcohol.”

The American Cancer Society published an article recently describing the affects of alcohol consumption on the risk of cancer. It has become clear over the years that excess alcohol consumption or even simply consistent consumption will increase the risk of cancer, and even more so, the risk of oral cancer.

The American Cancer Society states: “Oral cancers are six times more common in alcohol users than in non-alcohol users. About 75% to 80% of all patients with oral cancer consume alcohol frequently. Smokers who also drink are at much higher risk.” Generally, it has been found that men who have two drinks a day and women who have one drink a day show an increased risk of cancer. Decreasing your intake of alcohol will also decrease your risk of cancer.

If you have a habit of having an alcoholic drink on a daily basis, you may want to consider lowering your consumption in order to lower your risk of cancer. If in addition you use tobacco products, consider working towards eliminating tobacco altogether. These two factors could have long-term effects on your health. The risk is not worth it.

Oral cancer kills one person every day. The large number of oral cancer cases is highly attributed to the use of tobacco, including smoking, snuffing and chewing tobacco.  Tobacco has long-been known as a leading cause of oral cancer.   According to the MD Anderson, “34,000 people are diagnosed with cancers of the mouth and oropharynx in the United States each year.” Although this number is great in itself, the rates are much higher internationally. Hungary and France have some of the highest number of oral cancer cases due to Tobacco.  India ranks in the top as well due to Tobacco and Areca Nut and Betel Nut chewing.  Oral cancer cases are three times higher in Asia than they are in the United States. All numbers of oral cancer cases do not take into consideration the number of cancers that go undiagnosed in 3^rd world countries and impoverished areas, where hygiene, dental care and medical assistance is not readily available or non-existent.

Oral cancer is one of the causes of tobacco use, but in addition, the American Cancer Society asserts that tobacco is “linked to 15 different cancers, and accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths.”  Most commonly cancer is found on the “floor of the mouth and the lips.  It can also be in the gums, teeth, salivary glands, the lining of the lips and cheeks, the roof of the mouth and behind the wisdom teeth.”

Even with the statistics stacked against tobacco use, one in five Americans are still using tobacco products.

Below are some common symptoms that MD Anderson offers.  Early detection is important, thus if you have any of the below treatment, a doctor’s visit is suggested in order to determine the cause of the abnormal area.

• A white area or spot in the oral cavity.
• A red, raised area or spot that bleeds if scraped.
• A spot with both red and white areas.
• Sore in the mouth or throat that doesn’t heal
• Loose teeth
• Lump or thickening in the neck, face, jaw, cheek, tongue or gums
• Difficulty swallowing or the sensation that something is caught in the throat
• Earache or sore throat that does not go away
• Dentures that cause discomfort or do not fit well
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
• Persistent bad breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Change in voice

If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are still using tobacco, there are tobacco treatment programs available. Continued use of tobacco products could “affect cell growth, cell death and tumor density, hindering the effectiveness of treatment.”

“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.”  – Fight Oral Cancer Foundation