Patient Area
Identifying the Risks
Anyone can get oral cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth, lip and throat, certain factors can increase your risk:
- Smoking tobacco - 5x – 9x increased risk
- Smokeless tobacco - 75% of daily users develop lesions
- Alcohol use - 9x – 30x increase risk (more than 1 drink/day for women; more than 2 drinks/day for men)
- Sexual activity - >50% of oral cancers are related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Risk factors in non-smokers:
- Second hand smoke (SHS)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Poor diet
- Occupational exposures
- Socioeconomic status (SES0)
- Immunodeficiency
- Mouthwash (alcohol-based) use
- Poor oral hygiene
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Oral lichen planus
Potential mouth and throat cancer symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain
- Changes in voice or speech
- Sore in mouth greater than 3 weeks (painful / non-painful)
- Bad breath
- Lump in neck
- Lump in mouth or throat
- Sense of something stuck in throat
- Poorly fitting dentures / problems with teeth
Early diagnosis can DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL. Early detection is critical.