Generally, oral cancer is largely avoidable by identifying and staying away from its known risk factors. These factors include tobacco and alcohol usage primarily. The incidence of developing oral cancer is directly correlated to a person’s engaging in smoking tobacco products and drinking alcohol. By quitting tobacco usage and lowering alcohol consumption, the likelihood of developing oral cancer is significantly lowered. Avoidance of these risk factors, alongside a healthy diet and following the advice of your family dentist and/or physician when it comes to oral health provide for a good level of protection against oral cancer as well.
Oral cancer is addressed mainly through radiation therapy and surgery. This may also be accompanied by chemotherapy in late-stage oral cancer.
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Oral Cancer Treatment and Prevention Tips
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Who is at Risk When it Comes to Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer has a higher level of occurrence among males (twice as much at least) as compared to females because men’s rate and amount of tobacco and alcohol usage over a prolonged period is much higher.
Oral cancer occurrence increases with age. The majority of oral cancers begin after the age of 35 with more than half of diagnosed patients falling in the 68 year old or more brackets.
Among oral cancer patients, statistics have found that 90 percent of them are dedicated tobacco users. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer as opposed to nonsmokers.
Roughly 80 percent of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer also drink alcohol on a regular basis. Oral cancer occurs six times as much among frequent alcohol drinkers as compared to nondrinkers.
Jobs associated with heavy, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight are one of the main reasons behind 30 percent of patients with lip related cancers.
Cancer of the oral cavity has also been linked to a poor diet. Particularly, a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables carries the increased risk of oral cancer.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a known contributor to oral cancer as well.
The earlier oral cancer is detected and diagnosed, the better the treatment and survival rate. With the help of your family dentist and/or physician and the appropriate treatment, the relative five-year survival rate among patients occurs during the five years after diagnosis regardless of whether or not the cancer has been eliminated, the patient is in remission or still undergoing treatment.
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Signs of Oral Cancer
When cancer occurs in any part of the oral cavity, from the mouth, lips, tongue and throat, this is known as oral cancer. Oral cancer comes in two types: oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. The former originates from the mouth while the latter develops in the rear of the mouth cavity known as the oropharynx.
Oral cancer’s most commonly occurring symptom is a recurring or persistent sore in the mouth which bleeds easily. This may be accompanied by a chronic pain in the general area. As always, consult with your family dentist or physician when you suspect cancer. Other signs and symptoms of oral cancer are:
- a thick spot or lump felt in the cheeks
- reddish/whitish patches/sores on the tongue lining, tonsils, gums or
insides of the mouth
- chronic/persistent pain/sore throat
- difficulty in swallowing and/or difficulty in moving the jaw and/or
tongue