Risk+Factors

=Risk Factors=

Cigarettes- US Health Public Service has found direct correlation between cigarette smoking and cancer of oral cavity. Mortality ratios of 5-6:1 for smokers to non-smokers. 75-90% of oral cancers can be attributed to cigarettes. After 3-5 years of eschewing smoking, oral cancer risk is diminished by 50%
 * Controllable:**

Cigars and Pipes-**" Cigarette smoking is a major cause of cancers of the oral cavity in the** **United States** **. Individuals who smoke pipes or cigars experience a risk for oral cancer similar to that of the cigarette smoker."** (1982 Surgeon General's warning)

Smokeless Tobacco (Chewing Tobacco and Snuff)- There is a four-fold increased risk of people who "dip", as opposed to those that don't.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption- Almost everyone that is diagnosed with oral cancer is a drinker, often a heavy drinker. 94% of men and 82% of women that are diagnosed are drinkers.

Sun Exposure- This is a risk for lip cancer.

Leukoplakia and Erythroplakia- These are patches of keratosis and/or lesions in the mouth. They are controllable inasmuch as they usually crop up because of smoking or any tobacco use.

Heredity- This is still an enigmatic theory, although there have been many traces of oral cancer in people who have a relative already diagnosed. However, it should be noted that this is not one of the main risk factors of oral cancer.
 * Uncontrollable:**