Factors Causing Tongue Cancer

The cause of tongue cancer is not known for certain, but there are certain factors that are believed to trigger the appearance of this cancer. These risk factors include:

Cigarettes. About 85 percent of cancers in the head and neck area, including the tongue, are caused by tobacco consumption. In addition, passive smokers are also at higher risk for contracting cancer in the head and neck.

Liquor (alcohol). Consumption of alcohol on a regular basis in relatively large amounts can also increase the risk of tongue cancer. Consumption of alcohol when combined with smoking will increase the risk of someone to contract this cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV). Although rare, HPV virus can cause abnormal tissue growth in the mouth that triggers cancer. Transmission of this virus can occur if you are in direct contact with the skin of people or objects contaminated with the HPV virus or through sexual contact, such as intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex.

Low oral hygiene. Tongue cancer can also be associated with an injury to the mouth that does not heal. This injury can occur due to broken teeth that injure the inside of the mouth or canker sores that often appear and do not heal. Therefore, it is important to maintain oral hygiene and treat wounds that occur in the oral cavity as soon as possible. The results of a study by the Indonesian Ministry of Health show that people with poor oral hygiene risk 2.3 times higher for oral cancer, including tongue.