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Aug 14, 2023
Oral cancer is a dreaded disease. The life-threatening ailment is becoming common in Australia, with a rising number of cases yearly. It can develop anywhere in the mouth, including the oral cavity, gums, tongue and lips. According to research, the risk of developing mouth cancer is higher in men than women.
The survival rate of the disease is quite low because of a lack of knowledge about the sickness. Thus, it is vital to create awareness and save lives through early detection. Here is everything you need to know about oral cancer awareness, including its signs, prevention methods and screening guidelines. It will help you to make your loved ones aware and look out for signs that can be alarming.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral or mouth cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth's tissues. It usually affects squamous cells, which are thin cells present on the surface of the mouth. People addicted to tobacco are most vulnerable to the development of oral cancer.
Other risk factors include alcohol addiction and high exposure to ultraviolet rays that increase the chances of cancerous growth on the lips. Oral cancer can develop on the gums, tongue, inside of cheeks, roof of the mouth, pharynx, lips and the part under the tongue.
It can be treated if detected at an early stage. Thus, getting your mouth examined by an expert dentist Hope Island every six months is essential to ensure optimum oral health and hygiene.
What Are the Signs of Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer begins as a normal white patch or a bleeding sore, which can get ignored by people. However, if it persists in the mouth and starts growing, you need to get it checked. Some of the common signs of oral cancer are listed below:
- A mouth sore that does not heal for a long time
- White or red patches on the tongue, gums or the inner walls of the mouth
- A lump, crust or rough spot in the mouth or on the lips
- Unexplained swelling of the jaw
- Pain or numbness in the mouth
- Bleeding from sores or inside the mouth
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- Soreness in the throat or a feeling of a lump in it
- Drastic weight loss
- Ear pain
- Severe bad breath
How to Prevent Oral Cancer?
Since the biggest cause of oral cancer is tobacco, the disease can be prevented by quitting smoking cigarettes and pipes. Also, chewing tobacco should be avoided completely to keep your mouth and overall health intact. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Thus, it is vital to maintain a healthy lifestyle without any bad habits.
People who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sunlight must use sunscreen lotion on the uncovered body parts and lip balm with SPF to stay protected from UV radiation.
Another risk factor is having Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cancer in the back of the mouth and throat of sexually active men. Therefore, dentists in Hope Island suggest refraining from oral sex with multiple partners to avoid transmitting the virus and getting the HPV vaccine.
Also, oral cancer can be genetic if the family has a history of the disease. Such people should get their mouths examined by their dentists regularly to stay safe.
What is the Screening Method for Oral Cancer?
Hope Island dentists recommend visiting the dental clinic every six months for regular oral examinations to get screened for mouth cancer. The practitioner will look for signs and check the mouth and oral cavity thoroughly to determine any changes or silent problems.
They will also check the head and neck to ensure there is nothing unusual. If they find something concerning, such as a patch or a lesion, they will scrape the area to extract cells for examination. They also check the throat and larynx with the help of a mirror with a long handle.
What Are the Treatments for Oral Cancer?
If a person is diagnosed with oral cancer, they must start the treatment immediately to avoid its spread to other body parts. There are three common methods used by Hope Island dentists for treating the ailment:
- Surgery for Oral Cancer
Various surgeries are performed to remove the cancerous cells or the infected part from the body. These include tumour surgery, removal of lymph nodes from the neck, partial or complete tongue removal, jawbone surgery, etc.
- Radiation Therapy for Oral Cancer
Radiations are beams of energy that are directed at the affected area in the mouth to kill the cancerous cells or stop their multiplication.
- Chemotherapy for Oral Cancer
Chemotherapy involves administering intravenous drugs to stop the growth of the tumour. It is usually combined with radiation therapy but has side effects like hair loss and loss of appetite.
Wrapping Up
Oral cancer is a disease that can rear its ugly head without any warning. It is imperative to know the signs and preventive measures if the illness runs in the family or if you are addicted to tobacco and alcohol. Keep the information given above in mind to stay cautious.
