Obesity increases oral cancer risk

The National Health Insurance Institute of Ilsan Hospital announced the results of a study identifying the incidence rate of malignant tumors in the digestive and mucosal system in Korea. Presenting evidence for oral care through risk factor analysis, the study found that overweight patients with a BMI of 30 or higher had a greater exposure to oral cancer risk.

The researchers also found obesity to be a bigger factor in the development of oral cancer than smoking. Oral cancer, they add, is also known to more significantly lower the quality of life than other types of cancer.

Suggesting dental-related cancer policy, the team advocates giving special attention to obese patients and intensifying dental preventive efforts.

The research team further suggested the following: Reinforcement of social accessibility; expansion of publicity for dentists and the general public; and promotion of precancerous lesions and risk factors.

According to the study results, the biggest risk factor for oral cancer was ‘daily drinking’, with a risk rate of 1.676. Further, the risk factor category ‘BMI 30 or higher (1.438)’ presents a higher risk for oral cancer than ‘currently smoking (1.324)’. Other risk factors were ‘diabetes (1.235)’, ‘high blood pressure (1.220)’, and ‘drinking 2-3 times a month (1.149)’ in that order.

Socio-geographical factors also affected the development of oral cancer, says the research institute.

According to the institute, the incidence of oral cancer was higher in Seoul (0.30%) and metropolitan cities (0.29%) than in small and medium-sized cities and regions (0.28%).

They also found a socio-economic correlation: the higher the income quintile, the higher the incidence rate. The highest 16-20 income percentile scored 0.30%, the 11-15 percentile 0.29%, the 6-10 percentile 0.28%, and the 1st-5th percentile 0.28%.

The research team attributed the incidence rates to the level of diagnosis due to factors of accessibility and oral care management. In other words, the bigger the city, the easier access to hospitals and clinics, and the higher the income, the easier it was to manage, thereby increasing the probability of oral cancer diagnosis.