I Use Tobacco β What Are My Oral Cancer Risks?
If you use tobacco, you are probably aware that it can affect your health. Here is a clear look at what it means for your oral and head and neck cancer risk.
Tobacco use is the single biggest risk factor for oral and head and neck cancer. Here is what the research shows:
- Smokers are 5 to 10 times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers
- Smoking combined with heavy drinking multiplies the risk by 15 to 40 times
- Smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip) significantly increases the risk of cancers of the cheek, gums, and inner lip
- Cigar and pipe smokers have similar risks to cigarette smokers
- Secondhand smoke also increases risk, though less than direct smoking
The good news is that quitting tobacco reduces your risk. After 5β10 years of quitting, your oral cancer risk drops significantly β though it never returns to that of a never-smoker.
What To Watch For
- If you use or have used tobacco, be extra vigilant for:
- Any sore in the mouth that does not heal in 2 weeks
- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek
- A lump in the neck
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
- Hoarseness that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Numbness in the mouth or lips
What You Can Do
- Quit using tobacco β no matter how long you have used, quitting lowers your risk. Ask your doctor about cessation programs, nicotine replacement, or medications
- Get regular dental checkups β your dentist can screen for early signs of oral cancer
- Limit alcohol β alcohol and tobacco together have a combined effect that is worse than either alone
- Perform monthly self-exams β check your mouth for any changes (see Article 50 for a self-exam guide)
When to See a Doctor
- See a dentist or ENT doctor right away if:
- You notice any of the warning signs above
- You have never had an oral cancer screening before
- It has been more than a year since your last dental exam