Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

The face of oral cancer is changing. The typical risk factors for oral cancer, such as tobacco use and alcohol abuse, are just two of many ways people can increase their risk for oral cancer. The following risk factors may increase a person’s chance of developing oral cancer:¹³

• Previous history of oral cancer or precancerous lesions
• Tobacco use (all forms of tobacco smoking and chewing, including smokeless cigarettes)
• Alcohol abuse
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 infection (this is a common sexually transmitted virus)
• Marijuana use²
• Age 40+
• Family history of oral cancer

However, 25 percent of all oral cancer victims have no risk factors.¹