Things 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, yet it is often not found until it is too late. People over 40 are most likely to get it, and men are more likely than women to get it. In India, more than 77,000 new cases are found every year, and more than 52,000 people die from the disease. These data show how important it is to pay attention, see 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, such as
Cancer of the lips can happen on the inside or outside of the lips.
Most of the time, tongue cancer starts on the bottom or sides of the tongue.
The growth that happens inside the lining of the cheek is called inner cheek cancer.
Most of the time, gum cancer is found near the teeth.
The area under the tongue is where floor of mouth cancer happens.
Oral cancers often go unnoticed for months since they don’t hurt at first. Dentists say that everyone should have their mouths checked at least twice a year. People who smoke and drink a lot should do it more often. Finding the disease
early makes it much more likely that treatment will work and save lives.
.
Things You Shouldn’t Ignore
A lot of people think that the initial indicators of oral cancer are only small problems. A sore or blister on the lips or in the mouth that doesn’t go away is a common sign.
Your mouth shouldn’t be bleeding.
You can have a painful mouth that doesn’t go away or problems swallowing.
A sudden lump that grows in the neck or jaw.
Some teeth may be loose for no evident reason.
Your ear hurts, but it doesn’t imply you have an infection.
You could lose weight quickly and for no cause at all.
Lips, chin, or face that are numb.
There are red or white spots on the lips or inside the mouth.
The patient has a dry mouth that doesn’t get better even after they drink water.
The jaw could pain or feel stiff.
You can also have a sore throat or tongue that won’t go away.
Ignoring these signs can be risky, even though they don’t always mean cancer. If they linger 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 live their life is the main cause of mouth cancer. In over 80% of cases, smoking is a factor. Some of the most important factors that could put you in danger are:
You can smoke cigars, cigarettes, or pipes.
Chewing tobacco, which comes in many forms other than smoking, is another big risk factor. These forms include gutkha, betel quid, snuff, and others.
If you smoke, drinking too much alcohol can hurt the tissues in your mouth and make you more likely to get sick.
Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with oral cancer.
Poor oral hygiene is not taking care of your mouth and always having pain in it.
Stages of Mouth Cancer
Doctors can tell how terrible cancer is getting and what the best treatment is by staging it:
Stage 1: The tumor is less than 1 inch around and has not yet migrated to the lymph nodes.
Stage 2: The tumor is between 1 and 2 inches across and hasn’t spread to any lymph nodes yet.
Stage 3: The tumor is bigger than 2 inches or smaller, but it has spread to lymph nodes close by.
Stage 4: Cancer has progressed from the mouth to tissues, lymph nodes, or organs that are far distant.
The chances of survival are about 82% if the disease is diagnosed early, but they drop to about 27% in later stages.
Choices for treatment
The stage, location, and health of a patient all affect how they are treated.
Surgery is the most common way to remove a tumor, and it may also involve fixing tissue.
Radiation therapy from the outside or brachytherapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is a type of systemic anti-cancer medicine that is often used with radiation.
“Targeted therapy” is a kind of drug that only destroys cancer cells and not healthy cells.
Advanced medical centers offer robotic surgery to remove tumors with as little damage as possible.
Important Facts
About 80% of the time, smoking is to blame.
Most people find out they have it when they are 50.
Men are more likely than women to get the illness.
Going to the dentist on a regular basis might help you detect problems early.
You can lower your risk by stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, and taking care of your teeth.
Last Thoughts
Mouth cancer is tricky to find, yet it’s one of the easiest cancers to avoid. It kills thousands of people every year. Regular testing are crucial because 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 if they notice symptoms early, deal with risk factors, and get treatment right away. Taking care of your teeth and gums isn’t a luxury; it’s excellent for your health, your family’s health, and your future.