Cultural and dietary risk factors of oral cancer and precancer - a brief overview

This is an update on cultural and dietary risk factors for oral precancer a nd cancer. It is an overview on ethnic differences (where possible) and soc io-cultural risk factors (tobacco/areca nut/betel quid, alcohol use and die tary factors) in relation to oral precancer and cancer. While studies were from Western countries, India and China, this update also attempts to inclu de and highlight some studies conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.