Risk of Oral Cancer
The number of new cases of oral cancer, as well as the number of deaths from oral cancer, has been decreasing.
Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Some of these risk factors for oral cancer are as follows:
Sex - Men have a slightly higher risk of developing oral cancer than women.
Race - The risk of developing oral cancer is higher in blacks than in whites.
Age - The risk of developing oral cancer increases after age 45 years.
Tobacco and Alcohol Use - The use of tobacco (including smokeless tobacco) and alcohol increases the risk of developing oral cancer.
Screening Tests for Oral Cancer
Screening for oral cancer may be done during a physical examination by the dentist or doctor. The areas of the mouth that are inspected for early detection are: the floor of the mouth, the front and sides of the tongue, and the soft palate.
