Tobacco and Oral Cancer- How They are Linked

Oral cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, affecting thousands of individuals each year. There are many factors that cause oral cancer and one of the important risk factors is tobacco use. Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, your risk of developing oral cancer increases significantly. Understanding this link is crucial for prevention and early detection of oral cancer. So, let us check out the link between tobacco and oral cancer. This will help you realise how vital it is to quit tobacco use.

The Impact of Tobacco Use:

Tobacco consumption in any form poses serious health risks, and oral health is no exception. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes exposes your mouth to harmful chemicals, including carcinogens (cancer causing substance), which can damage the cells lining the oral cavity. Similarly, smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco and snuff, release toxins that can lead to oral tissue damage and increase the risk of cancer development.

The Link to Oral Cancer:

Scientific research has proved the relationship between tobacco use and oral cancer. When you use tobacco, your mouth is exposed to numerous carcinogens which initiate changes in your cells. These changes cause the cells to develop abnormally leading oral cancers which can form in the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums and throat. The more tobacco exposure you have, the higher your risk of developing cancerous lesions. 

Understanding the Mechanisms:

We’ve seen that tobacco causes cancer, now let’s see how. Tobacco affects oral health through multiple mechanisms. Firstly, it weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to defend against cancerous cell growth. Secondly, tobacco smoke and chemicals directly damage DNA, increasing the likelihood of mutations that can trigger cancer development. Additionally, tobacco use promotes inflammation and impairs tissue repair processes, further increasing the risk of oral cancer.

Nicotine and what it can do:

Nicotine, which causes addiction, also plays a role in oral cancer development. Apart from its addictive properties, nicotine can cause abnormal increase of cells and the blood vessels they need to grow. These processes are crucial for tumour growth and progression. Moreover, nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, reducing blood flow to the oral tissues. This reduces their ability to resist the harmful effects of tobacco toxins.

Prevention and Intervention:

The strong link between tobacco and oral cancer makes it clear thatif you wish to prevent oral cancer, you should quit tobacco. If you need help in quitting, we at Medifort Wellness Hospital are here to help you. Through behavioural therapies or medical treatments, or a combination of both, we can help you stop your dependence on tobacco and greatly reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.

If you use tobacco regularly, consult our experts today. Get screened for precancerous lesions to prevent them from developing into cancers. With early diagnosis and treatment, your can have best results. Contact us to help you quit tobacco and to prevent diseases caused by tobacco.