It may seem like a habit from another era, but chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products remain popular in many states across the American South. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6.2% of men and 1.4% of women in Georgia use smokeless tobacco. In states like West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky, the rates are even higher.
While cigarettes, cigars and other forms of burned tobacco are the most significant cause of lung cancer and other cancers, smokeless tobacco significantly increases the risk of several other cancer types, according to Beomjune Kim, D.M.D., M.D., a head and neck and microvascular surgeon at City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta.
“People who habitually use smokeless tobacco are three to four times more likely to develop oral cancer, compared to the general population,” says Dr. Kim.
“In addition, they have an up to 11 times increased risk of throat cancer and twice as likely to get pancreatic cancer.”
This article covers the basics on smokeless tobacco, as well as its associated cancer risks, including:
- What is smokeless tobacco?
- Can you get cancer from chewing tobacco?
- Reducing the risk of chewing tobacco and cancer
- Cancer screening and detection in Atlanta
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at (877) 524-4673.
What Is Smokeless Tobacco?
Smokeless tobacco refers to products that contain tobacco but are designed to be chewed or sucked rather than smoked. Some of the most common types of smokeless tobacco including those listed below:
- Chewing tobacco: This type of tobacco usually comes in the form of dry, loose-leaf tobacco or “plugs” that are placed between the cheek and the gum.
- Snuff or snus: These products may be dry or moist. Sometimes, snuff is placed in the mouth in a small pinch or “dip.” Other types can be inhaled through the nose.
- Lozenges: These products dissolve in the mouth.
The words snuff, snus, dip and chewing tobacco are sometimes used when marketing a variety of smokeless tobacco products.
Can You Get Cancer From Chewing Tobacco?
As well as containing nicotine, which is highly addictive, chewing tobacco products usually include more than two dozen chemicals known to cause cancer.
“Chewing tobacco products contain harmful carcinogens which are released when tobacco is placed in the mouth,” Dr. Kim explains. “These carcinogens cause mutations in the surface cells of mouth and throat, which can lead to cancer.”
People who use chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products absorb these chemicals even after removing a “dip” from their mouth.
Using chewing tobacco increases the risk of developing:
- Mouth, gum, tongue or cheek cancer
- Esophageal (or throat) cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
City of Hope Atlanta patient Justin S., who had used chewing tobacco since his teens, developed tongue cancer at age 31. Thanks to successful radiation therapy and surgery, he is now in remission. After treatment, Smith worked with Jennifer Cargile, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at City of Hope Atlanta.
“Depending on the type of treatment a patient may undergo for oral cancer, they may see changes in their ability to speak clearly, open their mouth wide or even eat like they did prior to cancer,” explains Cargile. “In Justin’s case, we were able to work on improving his tongue movement, which ultimately allowed him to speak more clearly and eat his favorite foods again,” Cargile adds.
Reducing the Risk of Chewing Tobacco and Cancer
The only way to reduce the risks related to chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products is to stop using them. City of Hope offers comprehensive smoking cessation support, which can help tobacco users quite more safely and effectively. The program includes:
- Individualized advice from smoking cessation experts
- Same-day phone or in-person consultations for patients who are at high risk if they continue to smoke
- Access to medications, including nicotine patches
- Smoking cessation support groups
- Help creating a Rapid Action Plan for relapses
Quitting chewing tobacco has a wide range of benefits, even in the short term, such as:
- Better appetite and digestion
- Improving your tooth and gum health
- Helping manage anxiety or depression
Cancer Screening and Detection in Atlanta
According to Dr. Kim, early detection is vital for patients who may be at risk of developing oropharyngeal cancers, which affect parts of the head or neck.
“All tobacco users should see their dentist every three months for head and neck examination,” he says. “And if smokers notice any oral lesions, throat symptoms, or lump in the neck, they should consult their doctor or dentist immediately.”
Cancer experts at City of Hope Atlanta offer leading-edge screening options for head and neck cancers. The tests and tools doctors use may include:
- Using mirrors to examine the back of the throat and inside the mouth
- Using medical instruments like an endoscope to look inside the mouth or esophagus
- Scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT)
- Taking a tissue sample for testing
New treatment options are becoming available for oropharyngeal cancers, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Minimally invasive surgeries are also more common, adds Dr. Kim.
“These procedures use the daVinci® Robotic Surgical System, which can access the back of the throat to remove cancer. This significantly improves recovery time after surgery compared to traditional surgical approaches.”
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer and are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at (877) 524-4673.