Oral Cancer Risk Higher in Women Who Drink More Sugary Beverages: Study Suggests
USA: A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery has found that high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is significantly associated with an increased risk of oral cavity cancer (OCC) in women, regardless of their smoking or alcohol consumption habits. While OCC has traditionally been linked to tobacco and alcohol use, these findings highlight an additional dietary risk factor that warrants further investigation.
The researchers note that the incidence of oral cavity cancer is rising globally, even among nonsmokers and young individuals without traditional risk factors. While high sugar-sweetened beverage intake has been linked to various gastrointestinal cancers, its potential role in OCC remains unexplored. To address this gap, Luis Gomez-Castillo, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, and colleagues analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII) to assess whether SSB consumption is associated with an increased risk of OCC in both smoking and nonsmoking women.
For this purpose, the researchers conducted a longitudinal cohort study analyzing data from women in the NHS (1986-2016) and NHSII (1991-2017), excluding those with prior cancer, implausible caloric intake, or missing SSB data. Participants were followed until an OCC diagnosis. SSB intake was assessed based on consumption frequency, ranging from less than one per month to one or more daily.
Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals, with those consuming less than one SSB per month serving as the reference group. Data analysis was conducted between July 2023 and June 2024.
The following were the key findings of the study:
- The study analyzed data from 162,602 women with an average age of 43. Over a 30-year follow-up, 124 cases of invasive OCC were recorded.
- Women consuming one or more sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) daily had a 4.87 times higher risk of OCC than those consuming less than one SSB per month.
- This increased the OCC rate from 2 to 5 cases per 100,000 people, adding three more cases per 100,000.
- Among nonsmokers or light smokers and nondrinkers or light drinkers, the risk was 5.46 times higher, also increasing the OCC rate by 3 cases per 100,000.
"These findings suggest a potential emerging cause of OCC in women with a low baseline risk. The study revealed a significant link between high sugar-sweetened beverage intake and an increased risk of OCC, regardless of smoking or drinking habits," the authors wrote.
"However, further research in larger populations, including men, is necessary to confirm these results and better understand the impact of SSB consumption on OCC risk," they concluded.
Reference:
Gomez-Castillo L, Cushing-Haugen KL, Useche M, et al. High Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Oral Cavity Cancer in Smoking and Nonsmoking Women. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online March 13, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.5252
