Causes
Several factors are known to increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Some of the factors can be controlled, but others cannot.
Controllable factors include:
- smoking (especially when combined with heavy alcohol intake)
- chewing tobacco
- heavy alcohol intake (especially when combined with smoking)
- excessive sun exposure to the lips
- chewing betel nut
Factors that cannot be controlled include:
- age greater than 50 years
- male gender
Although these risk factors are usually present, up to 25% of people with oral cancer have no risk factors.