Tobacco kills up to half of its users. There are various forms in which tobacco is used like cigarettes, E-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and chewing (smokeless) tobacco. Tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for oral cancer in developing countries.

Dr. Vipin Goel, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad says, “In India over 80% of the cases are attributable to the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption. More teens and young adults are using tobacco for various reasons. If the present trend continues, the condition will further worsen with more and more cases of oral cancers in the near future amongst youngsters.”

​Initial symptoms of oral cancer: ​