Archive · 25 Dec 2025
Alcohol and Tobacco Linked to 62% of Mouth Cancer Cases in India
A big study in India found that more than 6 out of 10 people with mouth cancer got it from drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco.
Even a little bit of alcohol, like one drink a day, can make the risk of mouth cancer go up by 50%.
The study also found that locally made alcohol, which isn't always safe, makes the risk even higher.
Mouth cancer is very common in India, and not many people survive it for more than five years.
The researchers say that if people stop drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco, most mouth cancer cases could be prevented.
More than 60% of mouth cancer cases in India are linked to alcohol and smokeless tobacco use.
Even small amounts of alcohol (as little as 2g of beer daily) increase the risk of mouth cancer.
Locally brewed alcohol is associated with a higher risk due to potential contamination with toxins.
Mouth cancer is the second most common cancer in India, with low survival rates (43% after five years).
The study suggests that preventing alcohol and tobacco use could significantly reduce mouth cancer cases in India.
- Who
- Researchers from the Center for Cancer Epidemiology and Homi Bhabha National Institute, Maharashtra
- What
- Study on mouth cancer risk factors in India
- When
- Study conducted between 2010 and 2021, published on Wednesday
- Where
- India, with focus on states like Meghalaya, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- To understand the impact of alcohol and smokeless tobacco on mouth cancer
- Study Focus
- Buccal mucosa cancer
- Key Risk Factors
- Alcohol and smokeless tobacco
- Alcohol Impact
- 11.5% of cases attributable to alcohol
- High-Risk States
- Meghalaya, Assam, Madhya Pradesh
- Study Period
- 2010-2021
- Participants
- 1,803 cancer patients, 1,903 controls
- Survival Rate
- 43% survive five or more years
- Annual Cases
- 143,759 new cases, 79,979 deaths yearly
