Sugary Drinks Linked to Higher Oral Cancer Risk in Women

A recent study conducted by Washington University found that women who consume one or more sugary drinks (such as soft drinks) daily have a fivefold increased risk of developing oral cancer.

This study has been published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. A key finding is that oral cancer cases are rising rapidly among young individuals, particularly those who neither smoke nor drink alcohol. Previously, oral cancer was primarily observed in older men who used tobacco, alcohol, or betel nuts. However, despite the decline in smoking rates in Western countries, tobacco-related cancer cases are decreasing.

Earlier studies linked sugary beverages to stomach and intestinal cancers, but this is the first study to establish a connection between sugary drinks and head and neck cancers. The research found that even women without common risk factors for oral cancer had a higher likelihood of developing the disease due to excessive sugary drink consumption.

In 2020, over 355,000 new cases of oral cancer were reported worldwide, resulting in 177,000 deaths. The disease is rapidly increasing among young, non-smoking women, but the exact cause remains unclear. The study also found that this rise is not linked to HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, which spreads through sexual contact.

Dr. Brittany Barber, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine, stated, “Oral cancer is less common than breast or colorectal cancer, but cases are increasing rapidly among non-smoking and non-drinking women.”

Researchers suggest reducing sugary drink consumption, undergoing regular oral checkups—especially if experiencing unusual symptoms—maintaining a balanced diet, and adopting a healthy lifestyle.