Protect yourself against Oral Cancer!



What is Oral cancer?

The word oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx (the back of the throat). Cancer is a disease where cells in the body grow abnormally. Oral cancer is a chronic disease where cancer cells form in the mouth, lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, hard palate, tonsils and the throat.

Every day in each hour a person dies due to oral cancer. Oral cancer has been associated with the chronic and uncontrolled use of tobacco and alcohol. More recently it has been shown that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is also associated with oral cancer.

What is the risk factor for developing oral cancer?
1
  1.     Tobacco and alcohol use: Most cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, or the use of both tobacco and alcohol together. Using tobacco plus alcohol lead to a much greater risk than using either substance alone.
  2.      HPV: Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked to a subset of oral cancers.
  3.       Age: Risk increases with age. People over the age of 40 have more risk of oral cancer.
  4.       Sun exposure: lip cancer can be caused by sun exposure.
  5.       Diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.

What are the realizable signs and symptoms of oral cancer?

•         A aching, irritation, lump or thick patch in the mouth, lip, or throat.
•         A white / red spot in the mouth part.
•         A feeling that something is grab in the throat.
•         Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
•         Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
•         Insensibility in the tongue or other areas of the mouth.
•         Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become unease.
•         Pain in one ear without hearing loss.

A person who has any of above symptoms for more than two weeks should see a dentist or doctor for an oral cancer exam. Most often, symptoms like which are listed above do not mean cancer. An infection or any other problems can cause the same symptoms. But it’s important to have the symptoms checked out, because if it is cancer, it can be treated more successfully if it’s caught early.

What is the detection and diagnosis of oral cancer?

Only 30% of oral and pharyngeal cancers are identified at an early stage, while 50% are diagnosed at an advanced stage of metastasis (stage III or IV). This is largely due to late presentation, delayed diagnosis, and lack of clear referral pathways between dentists and medical doctors. Oral cancer screening must therefore be an essential component of the routine head and neck examination conducted in the primary dental care settings.

Early diagnosis is essentially important to decrease oral cancer mortality.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Current Problem for Tooth | Root Canal Treatment or Endodontic Treatment

Image
A root canal treatment involves the removal and replacement of a tooth’s pulp. The pulp is pulpy tissue containing blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.          The pulp is found in a canal that runs through the centre of the hard tissue on the interior part of the tooth.           The pulp expands from the pulp chamber in the crown down through the root canal to the tip of the root in the jawbone.           A tooth has only one pulp room but may have more than one root and several root canals. If pulp became damaged through wound or disease and cannot repair itself, bacteria and their products can leak into the pulp and cause the pulp to die. If a root canal procedure is not performed, an abscess can form at the tip of the root and cause severe pain. Even if there have   no pain, the bone anchoring the tooth in the jaw can be damaged. If the treatment not performed, the tooth may hav...
Read more

Does Vitamin C helps in fighting against Coronavirus?

Image
Coronavirus pandemic can be slowed or gradually reduced by use of vitamin C. Physicians demonstrate the antiviral action of vitamin C. Vitamin C maximizes the body’s anti-oxidative capacity and natural immunity to prevent and minimize symptoms of any virus   internally or externally of the body. Preventing is obviously easier than treatment. Vitamin C can be used along with our daily medicines Vitamin C plays a vital important role in preventing and minimizing symptoms for future viral infections. Vitamin C is one of the safest and most effective vitamins. It prevents serious complications. Benefit of Vitamin C includes protection against immune system deficiencies , cardiovascular disease, health problems, and eye diseases. More consumption of vitamin C protects our health from cancer, stroke and boots our immunity. Vitamin C  helps to get brighter  complexion  and  skin tone , while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So, as you are...
Read more

Tooth Sensitivity-Too hot? Too Cold? Too Sweet?

Image
Tooth sensitivity comes and goes with time; it is caused because of the exposure of nerves on root areas. The crowns of the teeth are protected by enamel, so sensitivity is not observed on the teeth. Sensitivity is observed at the root area or the gums. The root area is protected by cementum, when the cementum wears away the nerves are exposed which causes sensitivity. Causes of tooth sensitivity 1.       Overzealous teeth brushing By brushing our teeth continuously problem arises to our teeth that is the tooth structure will be changed, and gum tissues are damaged so the teeth losses its tight grip and opens the door for infections and diseases 2.     An acidic diet Foods having PH value less than 4.6 are considered to be acidic food. So foods containing sugar, dairy products, juices are to be avoided so maintain healthy teeth 3.     Bulimia Eating large amounts of food in short time and vomiting is bulimia . T...
Read more