Oral Habits Associated with an Increased Risk of Oral Cancer in Vietnam
ZE01-ZE04
Correspondence
Dr. Catherine F Poh,
Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
E-mail: cpoh@dentistry.ubc.ca
While tobacco and alcohol related oral cancer is showing a decreasing trend in most of the developed countries, this is not the case with South Asian and South-East Asian countries including Vietnam, where the incidence of oral cancer is increasing. The usage of tobacco, alcohol and betel nut products, all well established oral cancer risk factors, is prevalent in Vietnam; however, there is a lack of information in literature regarding the incidence of oral cancer in Vietnam and the associated types and forms of associated risk factors. In this paper, we provide an overview of oral cancer and precancer incidence with description of oral cancer related habits practiced in the Vietnamese population. We also describe the cultural aspects of these habits as well as the implementation of new tobacco regulations by Vietnam government.