ORAL CANCER CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

                                                        Overview

Cancer occurs when cells of parts of the body grow uncontrollably forming lumps of tissues called tumors. Oral Cancer is commonly known as mouth cancer. It appears as a lesion or a tumor anywhere in the mouth on the surface of the tongue, salivary glands, in the tonsils, in the cheek, gums and the surface of the tongue.

Oral cancer like many types of cancer does not often show its signs and symptoms in its early stages. Exceptionally though smokers and heavy drinkers (as drinking and smoking contribute the oral cancer causes) may identify early signs and are therefore advised to regularly have checkups with the dentist.

Signs and symptoms of Oral Cancer

As oral cancer matures, its signs and symptoms become clearer. They include;

• Mouth sores or ulcers that do not heal
• Pain when swallowing
• Loose teeth
• Painful tongue
• Hoarse voice
• Persistent neck or ear pain
• Sore throat
• A lump on the skin or lining of the mouth
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Loss of feeling(numbness)in any area of face, mouth or neck
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
• Red or white and red patches on the lining of the mouth and tongue

These symptoms may not necessarily mean that one is suffering from oral cancer and therefore it’s heavily advised that once these signs and symptoms show it’s important to seek medical advice.

Common oral cancer causes Risk Factors

Although the precise oral cancer causes is not clear, there are several factors that put someone at the risk of developing oral cancer. These risk factors of oral cancer include;

Alcohol and Tobacco use

Excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking ciggerates and or using both are the main factors highly contributing to oral cancer. Using tobacco and alcohol consequently poses a much greater risk compared to using each substance alone.

Diet

A diet that lacks or has low count of fruits and vegetables may contribute to oral cancer development.

HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV)is a sexually transmitted infection. This infection is transmitted during oral sex and puts one at risk of conducting oral cancer.

Sun exposure

Lip cancer is mostly caused by exposure to sunlight. This happens mostly at younger age.

Age

The risk of getting cancer of the mouth increases with age. It will mostly occur in people over the age of 40.

Family history of cancer

One stereotype is that oral cancer is caused only by people who smoke. This is not true all the above risk factors and causes are linked to oral cancer development.

Oral cancer causes go hand in hand with the risk factors and therefore one should be careful not to indulge in habits that could result in development of oral cancer.

Conclusion

Oral cancer is preventable as well as curable especially when diagnosed at an earlier stage. The following can be done to prevent oral cancer:

• Drinking alcohol in moderation, desisting from smoking cigerattes and tobacco products.
• Eating a well-balanced diet to lower its chance as a risk factor to oral cancer
• Avoiding repeated exposure to sunlight which increases the risk to cancer of the lip especially the lower lip

Its important to regularly conduct a self-check, this can be done by using a mirror to look at the lips and feel the front of gums. Pulling out the tongue and looking at all the surfaces, the floor of the mouth and the throat. One can also feel the lumps in both sides of the neck and beneath the lower jaw.

Other than self-examination, it’s also very vital to visit the dentist on a regular basis. Dangerous spots or sores may be too small to notice without screening. The American cancer society will recommend oral cancer screening every 3 years for people over the age of 20 and annually for people over the age of 20 as the cancer risks increases by increase of age.

In case of worrying signs and symptoms of cancer oral one is advised to immediately call the dentist’s office for screening and diagnosis.

During every dentist appointment one should henceforth request the dentist to perform an oral exam. Oral cancer like many other types of cancer is easily and successfully treated when its diagnosed early so its highly recommended that one performs tests as early as possible.

If time allows after diagnosis one should seek a second opinion from another dentist just to be sure.