Increasing incidence of oral cancer amongst young persons: what is the aetiology?

The reasons for an increasing incidence of oral cancer, particularly amongs t younger persons is unclear. It has been hypothesised either to be a resul t of an increase in exposure to known risk factors amongst certain groups i n the community, or to be due to new aetiological agents. Prior to conducti ng large expensive population-based studies, it seems appropriate to conduc t initial smaller-scale surveys to assess evidence for each of these two hy potheses. This survey of young persons with oral cancer suggest that most a n exposed to traditional risk factors of tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol and a low consumption of fruit and vegetables. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.