Scientific. Risk of intraoral cancer associated with tobacco and alcohol--a case-control study

The study examined the role of tobacco, alcohol consumption and their synergistic effect on the aetiology of intraoral cancer.

A hospital-based, analytical case-control study.

Information was collected from 67 intraoral cancer patients attending a cancer unit (cases) and 67 controls attending other clinics in the same hospital. Cases and controls were individually matched for age, gender and ethnicity.

A structured interview was used to collect the data on items related to smoking status and alcohol consumption.

The odds of developing intraoral cancer were 41 times (OR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.74-12.30) higher for current smokers compared to non-smokers. The odds of developing intraoral cancer were eight times higher for past drinkers (OR = 8.59; 95% CI: 2.96-24.92) and current drinkers (OR = 8.54; 95% CI: 3.55-20.50) compared to non-drinkers. Consumers of both tobacco and alcohol were ten times more likely to develop intraoral cancer compared to those who do neither.

The risk of intraoral cancer arising from use of alcohol and tobacco, icant. The findings of the study strongly endorse the rationale behind efforts by the South African government to implement strict tobacco legislation and campaign for responsible drinking.