🔬 What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in any part of the oral cavity, including:
Lips (especially lower lip)
Gums
Tongue (front two-thirds)
Inner lining of cheeks
Roof or floor of the mouth
Most cases are squamous cell carcinomas — aggressive cancers that begin in the thin, flat cells lining these areas.
Who’s at Risk?
Factor
Why It Matters
âś… Tobacco Use (Smoking or Chewing)
#1 cause — damages DNA in mouth cells
âś… Heavy Alcohol Use
Increases risk; combined with tobacco, danger multiplies up to 30x
âś… HPV Infection (Especially Type 16)
Now linked to rising cases in younger, non-smoking adults
âś… Excessive Sun Exposure
Increases risk of lip cancer
âś… Poor Diet
Low intake of fruits and vegetables linked to higher risk
💡 Even if you don’t smoke, you’re not immune — especially with rising HPV-related cases.
