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In an attempt to appear cool among their friend circles, millennials and Gen Z are engaging in regular alcohol consumption, which may lead to oral/tongue cancer
Tongue cancer risk: Significant generational knowledge gaps and poor oral hygiene practices among Millennials and Gen Z further contribute to this risk
Gone are the days when tobacco was the only cause of tongue cancer. Nowadays millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) and Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) are developing oral cancer due to sedentary lifestyles, regular consumption of alcohol, and poor oral hygiene.
In an attempt to appear cool among their friend circles, millennials and Gen Z are engaging in regular alcohol consumption, which may lead to oral/tongue cancer. Dr. K. Sreekanth, Sr. Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad shares all you need to know:
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• Excessive alcohol intake is one of the major risk factors for oral cancers, including tongue cancer.
• When alcohol breaks down in the body, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that damages DNA and promotes cancer development.
• Regular heavy drinking also weakens the body’s natural defense system and makes it easier for harmful substances to penetrate tissues.
• People who consume high amounts of alcohol daily are several times more likely to develop oral cancer compared to non-drinkers.
With today’s fast-paced lifestyle and demanding work environment, the younger generation is constantly under stress. This often leads them to neglect oral hygiene and healthy eating habits, increasing the risk of tongue cancer. Significant generational knowledge gaps and poor oral hygiene practices among Millennials and Gen Z further contribute to this risk.
• Poor oral hygiene increases oral cancer risk by causing chronic inflammation and infections in the mouth.
• When gums and tissues are not properly cleaned and get repeatedly inflamed, the immune system stays overworked, making it harder to detect and eliminate abnormal cells.
• Bacteria in an unclean mouth produce toxins that damage DNA and disrupt normal cell repair process, which can trigger uncontrolled cell growth leading to cancer formation.
• Gum disease, tooth decay, and untreated oral infections further create an environment where harmful bacteria thrive, raising the chances of oral cancers like squamous cell carcinoma.
• Regular brushing, dental checkups, and healthy oral practices are essential not only for preventing cavities and gum disease but also for lowering long-term cancer susceptibility.
• Sharp teeth and ill-fitting dentures are also the risk factors for tongue cancer
Apart from the above-mentioned causes, HPV-related cases among younger patients who do not use tobacco are also arising. Human papillomavirus, also called HPV, may cause some tongue cancers that occur in the throat. HPV is a common virus that’s transmitted through sexual contact. HPV16 causes HPV-related head and neck cancers. As soon as HPV infects cells through oral sexual contact, it starts changing the physiology of the cells. If the immune system is not strong enough to fight the infection, it can lead to tumors. These usually develop in the throat, near the tonsils, at the back of the roof of the mouth, or at the base of the tongue.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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