In conclusion, alcohol intake of >2 drinks per day leads
to a 2-fold increase in the risk of oral cancer in women
compared with nondrinkers. This risk increases further
in drinkers with low intake of folate.Women with high folate
intake have lower alcohol-related risk for oral cancer.
Along with discontinuation of tobacco use, public health
recommendations to reduce the incidence of oral cancer in
women must include minimizing alcohol consumption to
a level of 0 to 1 drinks per day and increasing folate intake.