Tobacco Use and Oral Cancer Risk Among Nevada Adolescent Females Over a Six Year Period

Objective: The purpose of this study was to support the hypothesis that the incidence of oral lesions over the past 6 years among Nevada high school females who use tobacco products would be higher than those who did not use tobacco products. Qualitative predictions were made concerning future oral cancer incidence in young women in Nevada based on the trends found in this study. Methods: A cross-sectional study with retrospective analysis was done on a population of 28996 female students, 13 to 18 years of age, attending public and private schools over a six year period (2001-2007) in Nevada. The prevalence of oral lesions in the cohort who did or did not use tobacco was determined and the yearly data was recorded for each of the six years studied. Results: 467 members of the cohort had oral lesions. 64.9% of those with lesions were tobacco users, 35.1% did not use tobacco. Yearly trend data indicates that after the first year, a stable trend in the number of oral lesions was reached. Conclusion: These data supported the hypothesis; oral lesions were more prevalent in the population that used tobacco than in those that did not use tobacco. This study sheds new light on current data concerning the trends and prevalence of oral lesions in teenage females. The information gained in this study will support public policy initiatives and oral health policy, based on empirical data concerning tobacco use. Study data was provided by The Fund for a Healthy Nevada Grant.