You’ll often see in textbooks that alcohol is a major risk factor for oral cancer. They’ll tell you that people who drink three to four drinks per day have about two to three times the risk, and with heavier drinking, that risk can go up to five times. 

 

They’ll also emphasize that when alcohol is combined with tobacco, the risk can increase up to 15 to 30 times. 

 

But here’s the thing—most of the time, they stop there. They tell you that it increases risk… but not really why. 

 

So let’s break that down, because once you understand the mechanism, it becomes much easier to remember—and much more meaningful in practice. 

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