What Are the Causes of Mouth Cancer?

Although at first you may think you just have a canker sore or maybe bit your lip, persistent sores and lesions on your lips, tongue and inside your mouth may be signs of oral cancer. The causes of oral cancer include lifestyle factors, certain viral infections and past medical conditions. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic and the American Cancer Society about the causes of mouth cancer.

HPV

• If you have human papillomavirus (HPV), you may develop cancer of your mouth, and if you are female, the virus can also cause cancer in your cervix.

Alcohol

• Drinking alcohol for many years can cause you to develop cancer in your mouth as a result of inflammation that damages your cells.

Tobacco

• Even if you do not smoke, any use of tobacco, including chewing or smoking snuff, pipes, cigars or cigarettes can cause cancer in your mouth.

Sunburns

• Sunburns to your face and lips may cause you to develop cancer on your lip, especially if you have had many sunburns.

Diet

• If your diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamins A, C and E, your chance of developing mouth cancer may be increased.

Other Cancers

• If you had other types of cancer in the past, especially cancers located near your mouth, you may develop a new case of mouth cancer.

Radiation

• Treatments using radiation, especially those directed toward your face and head, may cause you to develop mouth cancer.