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The incidence rates of mouth cancer vary from low to high among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This review will examine incidence and mortality rates according to risk factors for the disease. Studies of local populations are reviewed and common patterns established. Although the incidence rate of mouth cancer is decreasing in some countries, a large increase is observed in southern South America. This trend will probably be maintained over the next few decades. Specific risk factors have been identified: high tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking prevalence, high intake of charcoal-grilled red meat, and mate drinking. The increase in tobacco smoking among females will have a strong impact on the incidence of mouth cancer in the future. In some Latin American and Caribbean countries, lay educational information on cancer is scant. The importance of improving information systems on cancer and the development of tobacco smoking and alcohol control programs are stressed. The training of health practitioners in the early detection and treatment of mouth lesions is a public health goal that could improve survival, but the difficulties encountered by people from the lowest socioeconomic strata in obtaining access to primary health care could hinder this objective. Semin Oncol 28:158-168., (Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.)