What You Should Know About Mouth Cancer
Oral cancer, often known as mouth cancer, is one of the most frequent types of head and neck cancer. However, it is often not found until it is too late. It mainly happens to those over 40, and men are more prone than women to get it. Every year, India finds more than 77,000 new cases of the disease, and more than 52,000 people die from it. These data show how important it is to pay attention, notice problems early, and get help right away.
Where Mouth Cancer Can Happen
Oral cancer can show up in a lot of different sites in the mouth, like
Lip cancer can happen on the lips’ exterior or inside.
Most of the time, tongue cancer starts on the sides or bottom of the tongue.
The lining of the cheek is where inner cheek cancer grows.
Gum cancer frequently shows up close to the teeth.
Floor of mouth cancer happens in the space under the tongue.
Oral cancers sometimes go unnoticed for months since they don’t ache at first. Dentists say that everyone should have their mouths checked at least twice a year. People who smoke or drink a lot should do it more often. Finding the issue early makes it much more likely that treatment will work and save lives.
Things You Shouldn’t Overlook
Many people believe that the initial indicators of mouth cancer are just small problems. A common sign is a sore or blister on the lips or in the mouth that won’t go away.
It doesn’t make sense that your mouth is bleeding.
You can have a painful mouth that doesn’t go away or have problems swallowing.
A sudden lump in the neck or jaw that grows larger.
There may be teeth that are loose for no evident reason.
You might not have an infection if one of your ears hurts.
You could lose weight quickly and for no reason.
Lips, chin, or face that feel numb.
The lips or within the mouth have red or white spots.
The patient has a dry mouth that doesn’t get better even when they drink water.
The jaw could pain or feel stiff.
You can also have a sore throat or tongue that won’t go away.
Even while they don’t always mean cancer, ignoring these signs can be risky. If they continue more than two weeks or happen at the same time, call your doctor immediately once.
The main things that cause mouth cancer
The way people spend their life is the main cause of most mouth cancers. There is smoking in about 80% of the cases. Some of the most important factors that can put you in danger are
Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are all ways to smoke.
Chewing tobacco, which includes gutkha, betel quid, snuff, and other forms that don’t include smoking, is another big risk factor.
If you smoke, drinking too much alcohol can hurt the tissues in your mouth and make you more likely to get sick.
Certain forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause oral cancer.
Not brushing your teeth and flossing regularly is bad oral hygiene.
Stages of Mouth Cancer
Staging cancer helps doctors figure out how terrible the disease is getting and what the best treatment is:
Stage 1: The tumor is less than 1 inch around and hasn’t migrated to the lymph nodes yet.
Stage 2: The tumor is 1 to 2 inches across and still doesn’t impact any lymph nodes.
Stage 3: The tumor is bigger than 2 inches or smaller, but it has spread to lymph nodes that are close by.
Stage 4: Cancer has moved from the mouth to surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, or organs that are quite far away.
If caught early, the chance of survival is roughly 82%. But in later stages, it drops to about 27%.
Choices for care
The way a patient is treated depends on where they are, what stage they are in, and how healthy they are.
Surgery is the best way to get rid of a tumor, and it may also involve fixing tissue.
External beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy both use high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a type of anti-cancer medicine that works throughout the body and is often given with radiation.
“Targeted therapy” is a kind of drug that destroys cancer cells but doesn’t hurt healthy tissue.
Robotic surgery is available in modern medical centers to remove tumors with as little damage as possible.
Important Information
Smoking is the reason about 80% of the time.
Most people are diagnosed when they are 50 years old.
Men are more likely than women to have the illness.
Going to the dentist regularly might help you catch problems early.
You can lower your risk by stopping smoking, drinking less, and taking care of your teeth.
Last Thoughts
It’s hard to find mouth cancer, yet it’s one of the simplest cancers to avoid. It kills thousands of people every year. It’s vital to get tested often since people who smoke, chew tobacco, or drink a lot are more likely to get sick.
Being mindful is the best approach to keep oneself safe. People can live longer by spotting symptoms early, dealing with risk factors, and getting treatment right away. Taking care of your teeth and gums is not a luxury; it’s beneficial for your health, your family’s health, and your future.
