Oral Cancer: Things You Should Know

Oral cancer or mouth cancer (a type of head and neck cancer) is the growth of any cancerous tissue in the oral cavity. It can affect any part of the mouth, lips, tongue, or the back of the throat. Every year, approximately 35,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer. Out of these, around 7,500 succumb to death from the condition. Oral cancer can also be found in the pharynx, which is located behind the mouth and nasal cavity.

Are you at risk for Oral Cancer?

Your risk of getting oral cancer is high if you/your:

• use tobacco products: smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, or chewing tobacco contributes to 75% of all cases of oral cancer
• are a heavy drinker; excessive use of alcohol, especially combined with tobacco use, heightens  the risk of developing oral cancer
• body is exposed to too much sunlight; it increases the risk of acquiring lip cancer
• follow an unhealthy diet; this increases your cancer risk
• age is over 40; majority of the people diagnosed with oral cancer are over 40
• are male; your chance of developing oral cancer is double if you are a man

You can reduce your risk of oral cancer by eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, moderating your alcohol consumption, and limiting your exposure to the sun.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Symptoms of oral cancer include:

• sores/swellings/thick patches in the vicinity of your mouth or throat
• loss of sense, pain or sensitivity in your mouth and tongue
• discomfort while chewing, swallowing or speaking
• areas of red or white lesions in your mouth/ lips
• swellings that make wearing dentures irritating
• pain in ears without loosing your hearing ability
• discomfort while moving your jaw or tongue
• feeling of something stuck in your throat
• loose teeth without any dental cause
• constant sore throat or hoarseness

These symptoms can also be due to less serious oral health issues. However, it you experience one or more of the symptoms listed above for more than two weeks, visit your dentist for a checkup.

Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

Your dental check-up also involves checking for cancer. A dentist will examine your mouth for signs of precancerous spots. If he finds a suspicious spot, cells are collected from the lesion and sent for testing. If the test confirms presence of cancerous cells, treatment might involve surgically removing the the lesion. The removed tissue will then be sent for further examination. If it is truly cancer, you might even need to undergo radiation therapy.

Long-Term Outlook for Oral Cancer

The chances of beating oral cancers is poor. About only half of the people diagnosed with oral cancer survive beyond five years. This may be due to the fact that most cases oral cancer came into light in the later stages only, when the chances of getting curing has gone down considerably.

This is the reason why seek regular dental care is extremely important. The best thing you can do to reduce the chances of oral cancer is to have regular dental checkups and maintaining good oral care habits. Make a dental appointment with the best dentists in Forrest Ave, Queens to check for signs of oral cancer.