COPD patient with history of what increases risk of oral cancer?

• A. Smoking
• B. Alcohol
• C. High sugar
• D. Sedentary lifestyle

Answer: (A)

When assessing risk for oral cancer, tobacco use is the strongest single factor. Smoking introduces numerous carcinogens into the mouth, which damage the lining cells over time. This repeated DNA damage can lead to mutations and, eventually, malignant transformation of oral tissues. The risk rises with both how long and how heavily a person has smoked, so a COPD patient with a history of smoking has a markedly higher risk.

Alcohol can also raise oral cancer risk and can amplify the carcinogenic effects of tobacco, but among the options given, smoking is the primary driver of increased risk. High sugar and a sedentary lifestyle don’t directly cause oral cancer, though they relate to overall health in other ways.