Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
05:42
Isolation of Cells with Morphological and Spatial Information from Oral Submucous Fibrosis Samples by Laser Capture Microdissection
Published on: August 11, 2023
Oral cancer in Appalachia
Bruce C Casto1, Smita Sharma, James L Fisher
1College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and James Cancer Hospital/Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
|February 10, 2009
Summary
Oral cancer incidence and mortality are higher in Appalachia compared to national averages. This is linked to higher smoking rates and lower fruit/vegetable intake in the region.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Oral cancer is a significant malignancy with low survival rates.
- Appalachia shows high rates of lung and bronchial cancers, sharing risk factors with oral cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine oral cancer incidence and mortality rates in 13 Appalachian states.
- To compare these rates and risk factor prevalence with national averages.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from national cancer registries and health surveys.
- Compared oral cancer incidence, mortality, smoking, alcohol, and fruit/vegetable consumption in Appalachia versus the U.S.
Main Results:
- Higher oral cancer incidence in 6 of 12 Appalachian states.
- Higher oral cancer mortality in 10 of 13 Appalachian states.
- Increased smoking prevalence in 9 of 13 states; alcohol consumption was similar or lower.
Conclusions:
- Appalachia exhibits elevated oral cancer incidence and mortality.
- Lifestyle factors like smoking and diet contribute to disparities in oral cancer rates.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Oral Cavity
The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
01:30Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...