Every hour, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the mouth and upper throat). Yet, if oral cancer is detected and treated early, treatment-related health problems are reduced and survival rates may increase.

Research has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Historically, those at an especially high risk of developing oral cancer have been heavy drinkers and smokers older than age 50, but today the cancer also is occurring more frequently in young nonsmoking people due the increased popularity of smokeless tobacco products like snuff, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes. In addition, a common virus, HPV is associated with the development of oral cancer. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to prevent HPV infection. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the vaccine be administered between age 9-12

There is an old adage that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ and this is especially true for oral cancer.  So talk to your teen about smoking and smokeless tobacco and be sure to ask your pediatrician about the HPV vaccine.