Important Information About Oral Cancer

• Oral cancer kills one American every hour.
• Approximately 42,000 people in the United States will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013.
• In 2013, among the 42,000 diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States, 18,000 will not be alive in five years.

Oral cancer’s high mortality rate is due to late-stage discovery (Stage III and IV)

Risk FactorsThe traditional risk factors of oral cancer include:

• Previous history of oral cancer
• Over 40 years of age
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Smokeless tobacco

40% of oral cancers are found in patients who do not present with any of the traditional risk factors or any other significant lifestyle risks.

The most recent trends and associated risk factors for oral cancer include:

• Sexually Transmitted HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Drug abuse* Young people, including adolescents, should be screened for Oral Cancer if they are sexually active.