Risk Factors of Oral Cancer: Identification and Mechanism of Prevention

Abstract

Background:Oral cancer is a serious public health problem. Unfortunately, most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages and consequently have a poor prognosis, similar to that observed 50 years ago. In fact, nowadays, the five-year survival related to oral cancer has been estimated around 50%. The aim of the present chapter was to present the main risk factors related to oral cancer as well as the identification of these factors and the different prevention strategies currently available.Methods:A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out, mainly using PubMed and other databases focusing on the subject. Books, International health organisations, consensus reports and scientific society statements were also searched. The following search terms were used: [ORAL CANCER] AND [RISK FACTORS] AND [PREVENTION]. More than 300 records were identified through the above-mentioned search. Finally, 133 articles were considered, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, clinical trials, and observational and longitudinal studies.Results:The dentist plays a crucial role in the primary and secondary prevention of oral cancer, minimizing the most aggressive treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and invasive surgeries, thus reducing the medical, social, and economic problems.Personalised oral cancer prevention approaches that improve survival are needed.Conclusions:An approach that focuses on the harmful habits of patients (tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, etc.) and on raising awareness of the population to periodically visit the dentist, who can control other risk factors such as potentially malignant oral lesions, is essential in the prevention of oral cancer.