The causes of oral cancer are usually around us on daily basis. A very good part about this is that it is completely upon us to make a decision about whether we increase our risk or not.
In India, over 700,000 to one million Indians die due to consumption of tobacco, every year, mostly due to mouth cancer (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). India has the highest number of oral cancer cases in the world out of which 90 per cent are due to tobacco consumption(World Health Organization Survey Report).
According to the Dr.Priya Patel, “The risk of contracting oral cancer increases with age. Other risk factors include smoking or chewing tobacco, consuming more than three alcoholic drinks per day and exposure to ultra-violet light (sun damage). Any previous head or neck cancer also puts you at a greater risk.
Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. When found early, oral cancers can have a high survival rate
Knowing the risk factors and seeing your dentist regularly for oral cancer screenings can help prevent this deadly disease”
The majority of these activities are social acts. This means that if you wish to get lower your risk or oral cancer you have some control. With this you can also avoid the chances of getting affected with this dreadful disease.
The fact is that cancer can impact on any part of the mouth such as gums, lips, back of the throat, etc. The beginning of the cancer is a very small complication. If this goes unchecked then it can spread rapidly.
If you make it a habit of visiting the dentist on a regular basis then oral cancer can be detected in the early stage and you will be able to get the treatment on time before it is too late.
This kind of cancer is similar to other types of cancer. It is very essential to be treated as soon as the case of oral cancer is detected. The main reason behind this is that at an early stage cancer is not highly developed and so it can be easier to eradicate.
Causes of Oral Cancer
When it comes to oral health problems, tobacco use becomes a primary cause. The increase in the use of tobacco in various forms like lime, raw with betel leaf, betel nut, pan masala, gutka and smoking has led to a rise in the cancer cases. Smokers or smokeless tobacco users are also at a much higher risk of developing cancers of the lips, mouth, cheeks, tongue and throat as well as problems relating to periodontal, or gum, diseases.
There are actually innumerable causes of oral cancer. Some of the causes of it are mentioned here:
Tobacco
Tobacco is the main cause of most oral cancers. This cancer can affect you if you are indulged in activities like smoking cigarettes, cigar or pipes; chewing tobacco, dipping snuff, etc. Apart from this using other tobacco products like bidis and kreteks leads to higher risks of oral cancer.
People who have high use of tobacco for a very long time are at high risk of cancer. The risk will be higher if the smoker is indulged in heavy drinking. In the majority of cases it has been found that people who either drink or smoke heavily or are involved in both the activities are more likely to develop oral cancer.
Alcohol
The chances of being at risk depend on the amount of alcohol that is consumed by the person. When the person consumes tobacco and alcohol the chances of cancer affecting him rises even more.
Sun
Too much exposure to the sun may lead to lip cancer as well as skin cancer. The risk can be reduced by making use of lip balm or lotion which comprises of sunscreen. You can also considering wearing a hat which can protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.
Personal history of neck or head cancer
Someone who has had head or neck cancer is at higher risk of getting oral cancer. If the person smokes and/or drinks a lot then there are higher chances of getting affected by oral cancer.
Prevention of Oral Cancer
Here are some of the things that you can do in order to prevent oral cancer or for detecting it in the early stage:
“Screening for oral cancer is quick and easy, with no pain or discomfort involved. It’s critical for early diagnosis and prevention. It takes less that five minutes, and can be done by your dental hygienist or dentist at your regular check-up appointment. Your dental professional will be looking for any lumps or abnormalities, red, white or grey areas and/or tenderness.”
- Brush and floss your teeth regularly - Make sure that you build the habit of brushing and flossing your teeth daily. When you have an unhealthy mouth it will have an impact on the immune system. This makes you body incapable of fighting the potentials of cancer.
- Drink alcohol in moderation - Avoid excessive drinking of alcohol. You need to have some limit over your drinking. The risk of cancer increases with the quantity of alcohol consumed and the amount of time it is being consumed over. The risk increases if tobacco is consumed with it.
- Do not smoke (or chew) tobacco products - You should not chew or smoke any kind of tobacco. If you are the smoker who does not over smoke you should consider stopping.
- Limit exposure to the sun - Restrict the amount of sun exposure. Making use of sunscreen is important and the majority of people are aware about it. However people do not apply it for lips. Continuous exposure of the sun to lips can increase the chances of developing oral cancer. This is especially in the case of lower lips. There are many lipsticks and lip balms that are available with sunscreen.
- Have proper diet – To prevent oral cancer you need to adopt a proper diet. It is advisable for you to include berries, beans, green leafy vegetables, garlic, grapes, soya and tomatoes in your diet. Diet plays a very important role in fighting cancer.
- How your food is prepared - How the food is cooked is also important in the prevention of cancer. You should avoid grilling and frying. Rather than this you should boil or steam these food items. The spices that you use for cooking also play an important role. You should consider using ginger, garlic, curry powder, etc.
- Exercise regularly - Exercise plays a very important role in having healthy lifestyle. This helps in having enhanced immune system and this helps in fighting cancer.
- Visit dentist or dental hygienist regularly - It is essential for you to visit the dentist on regular basis. When you visit you oral cancer screening is done for you.
- Conduct a self exam at least once a month - You should make it a point to carry out self examination at least once a month. This can be done similar to that you do for the breast. This will just take few minutes. You should consider buying mouth mirror that is handy. With this you should pay attention to the back and sides of your tongue. If you find something abnormal then get it tested from the dentist. You can find signs like lumps, tender areas, white or red or grey patches, etc.
The post Oral Cancer Prevention Tips appeared first on Dentistmum.