Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer Risk

The use of "dip," such as chewing tobacco or snuff, is associated with several types of cancers, including:

• Throat and esophagus cancers
• Oral cancer of the lips, gum, tongue, and cheeks
• Pancreatic cancer

In the United States, more than 2,300 people are diagnosed with these cancer types caused by smokeless tobacco use each year. Of this number, 1,600—about 70%—are oral cancer diagnoses.

This article explains chewing tobacco cancer risk and the types of cancer associated with dip. It also offers information about how you can quit using chewing tobacco.

What Is Snuff or Dip?

Snuff or dip consists of finely ground tobacco. It can be dry, packaged, or moist. Snuff is packaged in pouches or packets. There are different uses of these smokeless tobaccos. Some types are placed in the mouth and others are inhaled into the nose or sniffed.

The dry snuff is in powder form and fire-cured. Typical use is a pinch of powder through the mouth or inhaled through the nose. Moist snuff is aged and fermented. The tobacco is processed into fine particles. The typical use of moist snuff is placing a “dip” or pinch between the lip and gums or cheek.

Another popular product in the U.S. is snus. This chewing tobacco comes in small pouches that look like small tea bags. The pouch is placed between the teeth or cheek and gums. Unlike the dry snuff and moist snuff, snus don’t require spitting.

Types of Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobaccos come in various forms. These products include:

• Chewing Tobacco: This form of smokeless tobacco comes in a loose-leaf twist or roll and plug. The loose-leaf form of tobacco is aged—at times sweetened—and packaged in foil pouches. The twist or roll form are aged tobacco leaves that are formed like a rope. The plug form is aged tobacco leaves that are pressed together and wrapped in a tobacco leaf.
• Snuff: This is a smokeless tobacco that is dry, moist, or comes in packets. The dry form of snuff comes in a powder form and is fire-cured. Moist snuff is fermented and aged tobacco that is processed into fine particles and typically packaged in round cans. Snus come in packages that resemble small tea bags.
• Dissolvables: This form of tobacco comes in lozenges, orbs that look like small mints, and sticks that look like toothpicks.

Is Dip Worse Than Cigarettes?

Smokeless tobacco is known to deliver more nicotine than cigarette smoking. Dip tobacco contains compounds known to cause cancer, including:

• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Benzopyrene
• Tobacco-specific nitrosamines
• Polonium
• Cadmium

Oral Cancer

Usage of snuff or dip can cause cancer in the lips, cheek, and gums. Men over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of oral cancer. Regular smoking, tobacco use, and excessive use of alcohol can increase the risk of oral cancer.

When cancer is caused by smokeless tobacco, it starts with a whitish patch inside the throat or mouth also known as leukoplakia. Another way it forms is with erythroplakia, or a raised red patch that develops inside of the mouth.

An oral cancer screening exam is done by a dentist, usually as part of an exam. An oral brush biopsy is done if there is a concern about the findings or dip cancer symptoms.

The treatment of oral cancer, in general, is surgery and radiation treatment or chemotherapy to destroy additional cancer cells.

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the esophagus. It starts in the inner lining and spreads to the outer layers. In general, individuals who are between the ages of 45 and 70 have the highest risk of esophageal cancer. Men have a higher risk than women of developing esophageal cancer.

Symptoms of esophageal cancer may include:

• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Chronic cough

In order to diagnose esophageal cancer, your healthcare provider may order specific tests, as well as a biopsy sample of esophageal cells. The chewing tobacco cancer risk is higher for this disease, as it is in people who smoke and drink alcohol.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The major risk factors include diabetes, obesity, and tobacco smoking.

Research shows that chewing tobacco is a possible risk factor for pancreatic cancer, but the association between cancer and the use of smokeless tobacco is unknown.

Some of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer include:

• Pain in the back and abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss and poor appetite
• Jaundice, a yellowing of the eyes and skin

Imaging tests, blood tests, and/or a biopsy are usually conducted to determine whether or not a patient has pancreatic cancer.

Other Health Risks

Other long-term health risks of smokeless tobacco include tooth decay, gum disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Not all of the effects of dip tobacco are in the future, though. One of the immediate effects of tobacco in humans consists of an increase in pulse rate and blood pressure.

A Word From Verywell

Regular tobacco use, including chewing tobacco, can lead to consequences for your life, health, and loved ones. It is important to think long-term when it comes to your health. Choosing healthy habits such as diet, exercise, and avoiding habits that can cause health issues are important.