Oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers are usually put in the bracket of ‘head and neck’ cancer. In India, oral cancer is the most common type of cancer in men (constituting 11.28% of all cancers).
There are certain risk factors for these cancers. These are discussed below.
Tobacco Use
In India, smoking and tobacco chewing have been identified as the strongest risk factors for all types of head and neck cancer including oropharyngeal and oral cancers. The risk for developing these cancers is much more in smokers than in those who don’t. Most people, who have got a diagnosis of oropharyngeal and oral cancer, have a long history of smoking or tobacco exposure. Any kind of smoking – cigarettes, cigars and pipes – increases your risk of developing these cancers.
Some studies claim that even passive smoking (also called second-hand smoking) might be a risk factor for these cancers. However, more researches are underway to confirm the association. Pipe smoking is highly associated with cancer in the area of the lips that get in touch with the pipe stem.
There are oral tobacco products such as spit, chew, snuff, dip or dissolvable tobacco. All these are linked to cancers in the gums, check and the inner area of the lips. Oncologists at the cancer special hospital in Kolkata always warn against long-time use of oral tobacco products as it poses a high risk for developing cancer. Besides, these products also cause tooth decay, bone socket destruction around teeth and gum disease.
Alcohol Drinking
Alcohol has long been linked to liver cancer and cirrhosis of liver. It could also increase the risk of cancers in oral cavity and oropharyngeal area. The risk is much higher in heavy drinkers than in light drinkers.
Any person with a history of smoking and drinking has a much higher risk of developing these cancers. In fact, the risk is 30 times higher in heavy smokers and drinkers than in people who have never smoked and drunk alcohol.
HPV Infection
Human Papillomavirus or HPV infection is blamed for most of the cervical cancers. HPV is actually a group that has over 150 types of viruses. Some viruses in the group register a type of growth called wart or papilloma. This is why, the entire group is called papillomavirus.
Certain HPV infections may lead to cancer in oral cavity and throat. HPV type 16 (HPV16) is often linked to oropharyngeal cancer, especially cancer in the tonsil part and the base of tongue. HPV DNA (a symptom of HPV infection) is linked to more than 65% of oropharyngeal cancer and in a smaller percentage of oral cavity cancers.
Excess Body Weight
Obesity increases the risk of cancers of larynx and oropharynx. In fact, obesity is linked to different types of cancers. Hence, doctors at the best hospital for cancer treatment in Kolkata suggest that you should keep your weight in control to reduce the risk of getting cancer.
Age
Oropharyngeal and oral cancers take time to develop. Hence, these cancers are not very common in young people. Most people, who get their first diagnosis, are older than 55. HPV-linked oral cancers are usually diagnosed in people under the age of 50.
Other risk factors include gender (these cancers are more common in men than in women), UV rays, poor nutrition and genetic syndromes.