A 30-year-old member asked:
Please tell me how long it takes for to get oral cancer from chewing tobacco?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
Usually years: It often takes years to develop oral cancer from chewing tobacco, however, there have been cases of teens developing oral cancer due to genetic susceptibility. Since one does not know one's genetic susceptibility, it is strongly advised to stay away from all tobacco products.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Keyur Mehtaanswered
Radiation Oncology 19 years experience
Same answer as snuff: There's no exact amount of time needed to develop oral cancer when using chewing tobacco; it could be 1 year, it could be 50 years, it could be never. One thing is for certain though, the more you use, the more likely you are to get it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 38-year-old member asked:
How long does it take for chewing tobacco to cause oral cancer?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kathryn Wagneranswered
General Surgery 33 years experience
Oral cancer/tobacco: No one knows for sure so quit chewing. The spitting part is yucky anyway.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
How long does it take to get oral cancer from chewing tobacco? Is there a known, calculated number?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Daniel Quonanswered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 44 years experience
Depends: I am unaware of any published studies that can quantify how long you have to chew tobacco before being diagnosed.
Oral cancer from chewing tobacco is obviously a concern. The number of times you chewed tobacco and your risk of getting oral cancer may also be dependent upon the type of tobacco you chew, the location (if you keep it in the same location), as well as how long you chewed it each time.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
How long does it take to get oral cancer from chewing tobacco? Worse if chew in off season?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joseph Woodsanswered
Pathology 30 years experience
It varies, but long.: Alcohol use and tobacco use are the main risk factors for oral cancer. Most are seen in patients over 50 years of age. Oral cavity lesions present as nonhealing ulcers that are sometimes painful. So, usually, it takes a long time for this cancer to develop. But some people have it sooner, especially if they have too much tobacco and/or alcohol. Talk to your doctor about stopping tobacco use.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Ed Friedlander commented
Pathology 46 years experience
It is not politically correct to say this, but chewing tobacco is much, much, much safer than smoking it. Very few chewers get oral cancer, but it's a grim disease. Most often, it's preceded by white or red premalignant lesions that you or your dentist would be likely to notice where you keep your chew.
Mar 29, 2012
A 45-year-old member asked:
How long until you get oral cancer from chewing tobacco?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Dentistry 38 years experience
Can't say: Can't give you a time. But now is. Good time to quit.
See a dentist or oral surgeon for an oral cancer exam.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
How quickly can you get oral cancer from smokeless chewing tobacco?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 56 years experience
Who knows?: I doubt there are any scientific studies to answer that question. The more you use the any type of tobacco, the greater your risks. Why play with fire and expose yourself to unnecessary health risks? In the end it's not worth it. Besides, if you are the 1 in million (just an arbitrary figure and expression) who gets oral cancer, for you its 100%.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 18, 2021
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