What is Oral Cavity Cancer?
Oral cavity cancer is also known as mouth cancer. The cancerous tissue growth can be seen in areas located near to oral cavity. Oral cancer is a growth of cancer cells in the mouth that does not go away, it includes cancers of the tongue, lips, cheeks, sinuses, pharynx, hard and soft palate.
Who gets Oral cavity Cancer?
Men have double the risk of developing oral cancer than women. There are many risk factors Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include.
- Smoking cigarette, cigar are more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers.
- People who chew tobacco products are 50 times more likely to increase cancers risk of lips, gums and cheek cancer.
- Too much alcohol intake can lead to Oral cancers, there are about 6 times more common in alcohol drinkers than in non-drinkers.
- Family history of cancer.
- Over exposure to the sun can also lead to cancer, especially young people.
- HPV (Human papillomavirus) strains are one of the causes of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
- Oral cancer can also occur in other people who do not smoke or drink or consume occasionally.
What are the signs and symptoms of oral cavity cancer?
The initial signs of oral cavity cancer may be incorrect for other problems, such as a toothache or cold. If you see symptoms for several days or weeks, it is very important to visit your doctor. The diagnosis will help you find the right solution. The common signs and symptoms include in oral cancer are as follows.
- Constant mouth pain and persistence mouth sore.
Red or white patches on the tongue, tonsil, gums or lining of the mouth - Thickening in the cheek or lump formation in the cheek.
- Sore throat or feeling like something is uneasy or caught in the throat for the long time.
- Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, moving the tongue and jaw.
- Numbness of the tongue
- Loosening of the teeth and jaw swelling
- Change of voice, pain in the jaw and teeth.
- Sudden Weight loss
- Constant bad breath
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Numbness or loss of feeling, tenderness and pain on face, neck and mouth.
- Ear pain
- Hoarseness or chronic sore throat, drastic change in the voice.
If you ever notice the above signs and symptoms, do consult your doctor and follow a strict diagnostic procedure. A correct diagnosis will help you in treating the disease in right way.
How to prevent oral cavity cancer?
You can prevent oral cavity cancer by following these simple steps, which includes.
- Stop chewing tobacco products, quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
- Do not expose yourself to the sun. Repeated exposure can increase the risk of lip.
- Sun produces harmful UV rays, sop when you are coming out on a sunny day use sun protective lotions and balms on your skin and lips as well.
