What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is comprised of cells in the mouth that does damage to the tissue areas around it. It can be localized or it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. It can begin to grow as a sore or lump in the mouth cavity that does not go away. It can be on the lips, bottom or top of the mouth, cheek walls and even down in the throat and can be fatal if not treated as soon as possible.
What Are the Risk Factors?
Today, even with the greatest medical technologies in the world, there is no clear reason what causes cancer to develop, but there are known risk factors that increase the chances of getting cancer of the mouth.
Smoking is the first risk that comes to mind in terms of cancer of the mouth. There is a six times more likely a chance to get oral cancer as an inhaling smoker than never smoking. This increases to fifty percent when tobacco is placed in the mouth using such products as snuff, dip or chew. Another carcinogen product usually centralized in Asia is the betel nut that is chewed highly increases the risk.
An excessive use of alcohol has been linked to instances of oral cancer again at around a six percent chance. There is some debate in scientific circles about the use of mouthwash, but so far unproven, due to the alcohol content in the ingredients. Combined use of alcohol and smoking raises the chances to around forty percent.
Sun exposure is less likely to come to mind as a risk in getting oral cancer, but it has been linked to those that tan outdoors or use tanning beds frequently. There is a higher occurrence outdoor workers, such as laborers or landscapers.
Diet is important to overall health, but those with very poor nutrition are putting themselves at risk. Those who lack a balance of fruits and vegetables, as well as consumption of processed foods and too much red meat are among those at risk for oral cancer.
Lifestyle choices are unfortunately not the only things that cause oral cancer. Though cancer is not a very discriminating disease, in the case of oral cancer, it is widely proven that men are twice as likely to develop it as women. The chances rise drastically with age as well. More people are diagnosed after the age of 40 than in younger patients with a higher increase in occurrences between the ages of 55 and 65.
Family genetics can give higher instances of cancer. Those with HPV (human papillomavirus) and genetic disorders in terms of various blood disorders such as Fanconi anemia and Dyskeratosis anemia are in danger of the disease.
Common Symptoms:
During the early stages of oral cancer, there is usually no symptoms or discomfort but it is vital to oral health to get regular dentist checkups. A dentist is trained to look for the signs of oral cancer in all yearly visits. He will look for changes in and around the mouth that signal a warning. Swelling lumps, bumps, crusty areas and odd patches are causes for concern. When unusual bleeding in the mouth occurs and gingivitis is ruled out, there is a need for a brush biopsy which is a painless swab of the tissue to find abnormal cells. In extreme cases, there may be a need for a deeper scalpel biopsy with anesthesia . .
Statistics and Prognosis:
Cancer has never been a disease that falls into a category of people, it attacks anyone but risks are higher in those who do not take measures to be healthy. There were 42,400 cases diagnosed with oral cancer in the United States in 2014 so far. (Source: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/oral) of which there have been over 8,000 deaths.
The survival rating with all stages is good at 1 year survival at around 81%. These ratings deteriorate at 5 and 10 year with around 56% and 41%. It is imperative to catch oral cancer at an early stage to increase the chances of survival.
Final Thoughts:
Lifestyle choices will contribute to the higher risks of oral cancer and are preventable when abstaining. Nothing is guaranteed to stop cancer from occurring. Be vigilant in your health with yearly checkups and inform your primary care physician about concerns immediately.
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