In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified betel nut as a class I carcinogen. Betel nut can cause oral cancer through the following mechanisms:
When chewing betel nut, the friction of betel nut fibers on the oral mucosa will cause physical damage, and prolonged damage to the oral mucosa will lead to local chronic inflammation, and even cancer, as well as betel nut contains a variety of chemical components such as alkaloids, phenols, etc., which may also induce the risk of cancerous lesions.
Oral submucous fibrous degeneration is a chronic, insidious and cancerous disease, so a large amount of long-term chewing betel nut is carcinogenic risk, for their own health should be away from betel nut, appearing discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.