Asked by Damianah

Item 2
Only people who chew smokeless tobacco can get oral cancer.
Is it true or false?

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
False.

Smokeless tobacco does increase the risk of oral cancer, but it is not the only cause. Other major risk factors include:
- Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) and combined tobacco + heavy alcohol use (which greatly raises risk)
- Human papillomavirus (especially HPV‑16) — linked to many oropharyngeal cancers
- Betel/areca nut chewing
- Excess sun exposure to the lips
- Older age, weakened immunity, poor oral hygiene, and certain genetic factors

If you or someone has a mouth sore, lump, persistent pain, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or unexplained bleeding for more than two weeks, see a dentist or doctor. Regular checkups and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol lower risk; HPV vaccination can prevent many HPV‑related throat cancers.