Oral Cancer Risk by Patient Profile

As is the case with most cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Approximately 90% of oral cancer victims are age 40 and older, recent studies indicate that increasingly, patients younger than age 40 are being diagnosed with oral cancer. Though tobacco and alcohol use are the primary lifestyle risk factors that contribute to the development of oral cancer, approximately 25% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol, and have no lifestyle risk factors. Oral cancer affects men more than women, 2:1, but oral cancer in women is on the rise nationwide.

Increased risk

• Patients age 18-39
  • Sexually active patients (HPV 16/18)

High risk

• Patients age 40 and older
• Tobacco users (any type, 18-39, within 10 years)

Highest risk

• Patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors (Tobacco, alcohol use)
• Patients with history of oral cancer