India, April 16 -- Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, forms in the oral cavity, which includes all parts of your mouth. It is a serious and deadly disease that often goes undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Sanketh K Reddy (BDS, MDS, MSD, DipClSc, MSc, FICO, Apollo Dental Clinic) explained the relation between oral cancer and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Dr Sanketh also highlighted the symptoms and the preventative steps to avoid oral cancer.

Dr Sanketh cautioned that tobacco and alcohol consumption increase the risk of oral cancer. "Tobacco smoke contains carcinogenic chemicals like nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), while alcohol has solvent effects th...