Your Student Life: What You Should Know About Oral Cancer

June 24, 2025

The last thing on your mind may be whether your habits now will lead to oral cancer later. Unfortunately, oral cancer is affecting more young adults than in the past because of certain habits and exposure to viruses. Let's discuss what exactly oral cancer is, the risk factors, and the best prevention strategies.

Oral cancer is a disease caused by cells that mutate and lose their ability to properly function. The mutated cells begin to divide and spread, eventually leading to failure of the tissue. The most common form of oral cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma (the tissue that makes up your mouth is called stratified squamous epithelium). Oral cancer is most commonly found on the tongue and the floor of the mouth, but it has the potential to develop anywhere in the mouth, including the back of your throat (oropharynx). Oral cancer lesions appear in many different forms, including plaques (tissue that is thicker and slightly more elevated than it should be), ulcers, nodules and lumpy or spiky growths. Lesions may appear red, white, black or a mixture of red and white in color.

Oral cancer is typically slow to progress and is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages. This is mainly because there may not be any visible outward changes in the mouth or noticeable symptoms until the later stages. Because of this, the five-year survival rate is around 57 percent. Treatments for oral cancer typically involve removing the cancerous area of the mouth, which will greatly affect your ability to talk, eat and taste, especially since the tongue and floor of the mouth are the most common areas affected.

There are many risk factors when it comes to developing oral cancer. The strongest risk factor is smoking (cigarettes and cigars), chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and vaping (although this needs long term data to support, it's still a tobacco product containing known carcinogens). If you combine smoking and heavy alcohol consumption it significantly increases your chance of oral cancer. That's because alcohol increases the permeability of oral tissues, which allows more carcinogens to be absorbed into the body. Cancer from tobacco typically develops on the tongue, and floor of the mouth, but can also develop on the lip and cheeks, and palate (roof of your mouth)

Human papillomavirus or HPV is the biggest cause of oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. HPV is typically transmitted through sexual activity, especially oral sex. Most individuals infected with HPV will clear the virus within one to two years, but that does not always happen. HPV also can infect other tissues of the mouth besides the back of the throat, especially if the gums are inflamed and bleeding from gingivitis or if there is an open wound in the mouth. It is believed that smoking also increases the likelihood of HPV infection because of its ability to increase inflammation and suppress the immune system.

Luckily, there are ways to reduce the chances of contracting oral cancer. Avoid behaviors that are known to be risk factors. Diet may also play a role in oral cancer prevention. There is emerging research that suggests probiotics may prevent or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Although more research is needed, eating foods that contain probiotics such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha and tempeh (and many other types of fermented foods) may be helpful. Polyphenols and antioxidants such as those in fruits and vegetables, green tea and coffee may also aid in cancer prevention. Although it is best to consume probiotics, polyphenols and antioxidants through diet, supplements such as a multivitamin may be helpful if your diet is lacking, but be sure to discuss any supplements you wish to take with your primary care physician.

Be sure to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day with a quality electric toothbrush, and cleaning between teeth every night with string floss, floss pics, interdental brush or waterpik. If you use mouthwash, be sure the mouthwash is alcohol free.

Twice yearly exams at your dentist can assist with early diagnosis. Be sure your dentist and hygienist are checking the back of your throat and tongue during your appointment (usually the dentist and hygienist will stretch your tongue as far as possible out of your mouth and look at the sides, top and bottom). Let your dentist and hygienist know if you notice any changes in your mouth such as a sore or ulcer that does not heal within two weeks, red, white or black discolorations in the soft tissues of your mouth, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, swelling or lumps in the mouth, throat and neck or numbness in the mouth or lips.

If you have any concerns, feel free to contact Student Health Services Dental Clinic, we are happy to help!

Lisa Williams RDH, BS
Student Health Services Dental Clinic
Office of Student Life