The most important cause of oral cancer is?

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Tobacco use, in both smoked and smokeless forms, is the leading cause of oral cancer, responsible for up to 90% of cases.
Tobacco contains potent carcinogens that directly damage the DNA of cells in the oral cavity, leading to malignant transformation.
Epidemiological studies confirm that oral cancer and precancerous lesions occur almost exclusively among tobacco users.
The cancer often develops at the specific site in the mouth where the tobacco quid is habitually placed.

Option A: While a diet low in fruits and vegetables is a recognized risk factor for various cancers, including oral cancer, its impact is significantly less than that of tobacco use.
Option C: Skipping meals is not a direct or established cause of oral cancer. It can lead to poor nutrition, but it is not a primary etiological agent for oral malignancies.
Option D: While certain viral infections like Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are linked to oropharyngeal cancers (back of the throat), general respiratory tract infections are not a primary cause of cancers in the oral cavity (mouth, lips, tongue).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology and primary risk factors for oral cancer as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in primary prevention by educating patients about the severe risks of tobacco use and providing resources for smoking and tobacco cessation.
During routine health assessments, nurses should perform a thorough oral cavity inspection, especially for high-risk individuals (tobacco/alcohol users), to screen for precancerous lesions like leukoplakia or erythroplakia.
Patient counseling should emphasize that oral cancer is highly curable if detected early, reinforcing the importance of regular dental check-ups and self-examination.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keywords in the question: 'most important cause' and 'oral cancer'. This signals that you need to identify the primary risk factor among the options.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of cancer etiology.
Recall that tobacco use is the single largest preventable risk factor for numerous cancers, with a particularly strong link to cancers of the respiratory and upper digestive tracts.
Compare the weight of tobacco as a risk factor against the others. Unhealthy diet is a contributing factor, but secondary. Skipping meals and general respiratory infections are not considered primary causes.
Conclude that tobacco usage is the most significant and direct cause listed, making it the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 56-58

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-275 of 550) p. 122-124