How to Reduce Your Risks for Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is spreading.

Close to 46,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year causing 8,650 deaths, killing roughly one person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of that number, only slightly more than half will be alive in five years. Even more concerning is what used to be considered an old man's disease, is no longer the case today. The new face of oral cancer is getting younger and younger and sadly, the fastest growing segment of newly diagnosed cases is non-smoking, young adults. Why is this?

Unlike most other cancers, 75 percent of oral cancer is caused by lifestyle choices. While smoking still leads the pack as the most common cause, a new factor has been identified as being the culprit of oral cancer in young people. The good news is you can reduce the risk of getting this disease by making better lifestyle choices.

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