In 1990, more than 30,000 people developed oral cancer and 8,300 died. Independently, each increases risk of oral cancer by six times. A study of 945 patients with a particular form of oral cancer revealed that only 3.4 percent of them never used tobacco. Young men also need to know that oral cancer is a miserable way to go. Some of the most fundamental human activities require a healthy mouth.
Eating can become difficult, and loss of speech is a frequent result.
Whether you use oral tobacco or not, you should examine your own mouth regularly. As is the case with nearly any cancer, oral cancers caught early are much more likely to be curable, and the treatment will be much easier. Report them to your doctor promptly. And while you're at it, be sure your doctor and dentist include oral examinations with each checkup. The baseball minor leagues have banned it, and the majors should follow.