Oral cancer mainly affects those who drink alcohol or smoke. If they do both, it seems that their risk of oral cancer more than doubles, so they are immediately in the high-risk section. Since oral and pharyngeal cancer patients only last about five years after diagnosis if untreated, catching the disease early and treating it properly are of prime importance. Dentists are the most likely to find oral cancer in their patients, as they have the most opportunity to examine the oral space. Any red, white or ulcerative lesions on the floor of the mouth or the tongue should be suspected immediately of being cancerous.

But there are other groups who are at risk of getting oral cancer; those who are out in the sun for much of the day. Their oral cancer comes from sun exposure to the lips, so if they keep sunscreen or zinc on their lips and wear a hat, they will have some protection. The skin of infants and young children is extremely susceptible to UV damage. Certain viral infections can also cause the sufferer to develop oral cancer.

So what can we do to reduce the risk? A good nutritional diet is one answer. Adequate fruit and vegetables will give your body some cancer-fighting elements. Some people feel that using smokeless tobacco will protect them, but this still does increase your risk of developing oral cancer - just not quite as much as the non-smokeless variety.