Tongue Cancer Risk Factors

Tongue cancer is one of the most frequent and malignant forms of mouth cancer. The most highly afflicted age range is above 60, but it can develop in the 40s, and it affects more men than women. African Americans are at a higher risk than other ethnicities by a ratio of almost 2 to 1. Though the exact cause of tongue cancer is unknown, several risks factors have been discovered and are continuing to be studied.

Smoking

• Occasionally, people with no risk factors develop tongue cancer; however, one of the biggest risks is heavy tobacco use. The cancer is formed when the mucous membranes of the mouth are irritated. This is caused by the carcinogens in the tobacco combusting, which sends the byproducts directly to the membranes. The heat from the cigarette, pipe or cigar smoke can also aggravate the membranes. Chewing tobacco and snuff allow direct contact with the membranes, irritating the membranes rapidly.

Drinking

• Heavy use of alcohol is also a risk factor. The cell walls of the mouth become dehydrated after drinking, allowing the carcinogens to pervade the mouth tissues. Nutritional deficiencies lower the body's natural capacity to utilize antioxidants to avoid the growth of cancer. Cirrhosis or the liver may also be tied to an amplified risk for oral cancers. Cirrhosis causes the tissues of the throat and mouth to develop a smooth texture, further allowing carcinogens to pass through the mouth tissues. There is an even greater risk when the person smokes and drinks.

Human Papilloma Virus

• Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is a risk factor for oral cancer. It is a common sexually transmitted virus, with more than 120 strains, but only the HPV16 strain has been linked to oral cancers. Cancer caused by HPV generally begins at the back of the tongue. Kissing someone affected by HPV should not spread the disease, but oral sexual contact appears to be the most widespread means of diffusion.

African Americans

• Oral cancer is ranked fourth in cancers in African American men. This cancer occurs twice as often in the African American population than in the Caucasian population. The survival rate is much higher among Caucasians than among African Americans: 55 percent compared with 33 percent.

Prevention

• While you cannot help genetic predisposition, certain lifestyle changes can radically diminish your chances of developing tongue cancer.

  Since the combination of smoking and drinking is widely regarded as the most common factor for tongue cancer, it is important to limit the use of alcohol and tobacco. Lowering the consumption of the carcinogens will greatly reduce the risk for tongue and other oral cancers and can even slow the growth of already developing cancers.

  Limiting sexual activity to one person will drastically reduce the risk of acquiring HPV, thus lessening the chance that it will develop into a more serious condition, such as tongue cancer. Get tested for HPV and ask about the vaccination choices available, especially if you are sexually active.