HPV

• If you have human papillomavirus (HPV), you may develop cancer of your mouth, and if you are female, the virus can also cause cancer in your cervix.
  
  

Alcohol

• Drinking alcohol for many years can cause you to develop cancer in your mouth as a result of inflammation that damages your cells.
  
  

Tobacco

• Even if you do not smoke, any use of tobacco, including chewing or smoking snuff, pipes, cigars or cigarettes can cause cancer in your mouth.
  
  

Sunburns

• Sunburns to your face and lips may cause you to develop cancer on your lip, especially if you have had many sunburns.
  
  

Diet

• If your diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamins A, C and E, your chance of developing mouth cancer may be increased.
  
  

Other Cancers

• If you had other types of cancer in the past, especially cancers located near your mouth, you may develop a new case of mouth cancer.
  
  

Radiation

• Treatments using radiation, especially those directed toward your face and head, may cause you to develop mouth cancer.