Delta Dental of New Mexico

Oral Cancer

The Oral Cancer Trend: Younger Faces
 

 
Oral cancer is spreading.

As the sixth most common cancer worldwide and potentially the most expensive to treat in the nation, only about half of those diagnosed will survive in the next five years. Even more concerning is what used to be considered an old man’s disease, is no longer the case today. The new face of oral cancer is getting younger and younger and sadly, the fastest growing segment of newly diagnosed cases is non-smoking, young adults. Why is this?

Unlike most other cancers, 75 percent of oral cancer is caused by lifestyle choices. While smoking still leads the pack as the most common cause, a new factor has been identified as being the culprit of oral cancer in young people. The good news is you can reduce the risk of getting this disease by making better lifestyle choices.

Want to learn more? Check out our new oral health video.

Additional resources:

Oral Cancer Foundation
American Dental Association
American Cancer Society