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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Factors that can increase your risk of mouth cancer include:

  • Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Excessive sun exposure to your lips
  • A sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Previous cancer or radiation treatments in the head or neck area

DS01089

Aug. 12, 2008

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