How to detect and prevent mouth cancer?

Currently, there is no 100% effective way to guarantee that cancer will not occur in our lifetime.

It is a disease that develops very differently depending on the person and there are, moreover, many types of this pathology.

Because of our specialty, in this article we want to talk to you about the prevention and detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

 

The incidence of oral cancer
Mouth cancer is defined as cancer that develops in the oral cavity, one of the most common being tongue cancer.

Although it frequently manifests itself in the lips, it can also affect other parts such as the gums, salivary glands, the inside of the cheeks or the palate.

According to the prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center, the annual incidence of oral cancer in Spain is 6 to 13 cases per 100,000 men and 1 to 2 cases per 100,000 women, approximately.

It is possible that we perceive this disease as something alien to our lives and think it is not going to happen to us.

However, we recommend that you find out about the risk factors that increase the probability of suffering from this pathology.

It is equally important to know how we can prevent it.

Prevention encompasses all those measures that a person can take to reduce the probability of suffering from mouth cancer.

However, keep in mind that carrying out these measures does not guarantee our health in all cases, but it does reduce the risk.

Check-up at the dentist
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MOUTH CANCER
Risk factors
By risk factors we mean all those elements that increase the chances of a person suffering from a disease, in this case, cancer.

In the same way that prevention does not ensure that one does not suffer, having several risk factors does not imply the development of the pathology.

And the same happens in the opposite case: there are people who suffer from cancer and, nevertheless, had no risk factors.

Despite this, it is useful to know them in order to, as far as possible, make healthier personal choices in our daily lives.

The American Dental Association highlights 6 main factors related to different aspects:

Human papillomavirus (HPV).
According to information provided by the American Dental Association, human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with 10,000 cases of oropharyngeal cancer per year.

HPVs comprise a total of 200 related virus types, of which more than 40 are transmitted by sexual contact (vaginal, anal or oral).

Cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancer associated with these viruses have become more frequent in recent years, especially affecting young patients and smokers.

Sex
Men are more prone to oral cancer.

In fact, the incidence in men is twice as high as in women.

Age
Because oral cancer takes several years to develop, the risk of being diagnosed increases with increasing age.

Although the disease can appear at any time in our lives, the chances increase greatly after the age of 44.

The average age at diagnosis is 62 years but, in HPV-related cases, it can drop to 52 or 56 years.

Men are twice as likely to develop mouth cancer as women. Likewise, the risk of developing the disease increases after the age of 44.

Tobacco smoking
One of the worst effects of tobacco on oral health is the development of mouth cancer.

The risk of developing this disease is directly related to how many cigarettes are consumed and for how long.

It is important to underline that there is no one better tobacco than another: whether chewing or smoking a pipe, it is a major risk factor for general health.

Thus, in addition to damaging the mouth, it also affects the throat and other organs such as the lungs or the larynx.

The vast majority of patients suffering from mouth and oropharyngeal cancer use tobacco in any of its variants.

In the case of people who have already overcome the disease and are considered cured, it is vital to eliminate the habit of smoking in order to avoid relapses.

Tobacco and mouth cancer
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SMOKING AND ORAL CANCER
Alcohol abuse
Daily heavy drinking significantly increases the chances of developing oral cancer.

Binge drinking is defined as two or more drinks on average per day for men and more than one drink per day on average for women.

Ignoring dental checkups
Regular visits to the dentist can warn the specialist that there is a complication affecting oral health.

Even if we do not seem to have any problems with our teeth and gums, it is necessary to visit the dental clinic at least once a year.

In this way, the dentist will be able to detect any oral disease, whether or not it is mouth cancer, in its earliest stages.

GO FOR A DENTAL CHECK-UP
Main symptoms of oral cancer
Mouth cancer can become evident through various signs.

Although it is true that some of the symptoms described below may be caused by other less serious pathologies.

Even so, it is important to be aware of them because early detection determines, to a large extent, the success of treatment.

Abnormal stains in the oral cavity: they can be white (leukoplakia), red (erythroplakia) or a combination of both with red and white areas (erythroleukoplakia).

Sores in the mouth or throat that do not heal.

Difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Mobility problems in the jaw and tongue.

Lumps in the face, neck, cheeks, jaw, gums or tongue.

Speech complication or change in speech.

Unexplained weight loss.

The American Association Against Cancer recommends consulting a physician or dentist for these symptoms if they do not subside within 2 weeks.

Habits to prevent the appearance of cancer
Apart from the 6 most common risk factors, we want to explain in 3 points the importance of having a healthy lifestyle.

There are certain risk factors over which we have no control – such as our genetic inheritance – but it is possible to change our habits in order to enjoy good health.

This can, to some extent, make a difference and reduce the chances of suffering from mouth cancer.

Avoid risk factors
Although having one or more risk factors does not ensure that you will get mouth cancer, avoid them as much as possible.

Pay attention to your oral hygiene
Many of the most common oral diseases are caused by poor oral hygiene.

Maintaining proper cleaning routines can prevent many problems, including the development of mouth cancer.

Especially if you have had previous problems related to periodontal disease or ill-fitting dentures, it is crucial that you dedicate several minutes to cleaning your mouth.

Brushing your teeth
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ORAL HYGIENE
As we professionals always warn, the daily cleaning we do at home is not enough, as tartar formation in the nooks and crannies of the mouth is inevitable.

That is why we recommend a professional dental prophylaxis at least once a year (if you do not have oral diseases) or approximately every 6 months (in case you do have any complications).

In this way, the dental hygienist will make a control on the hygiene technique and examine the state of your oral cavity.

Beware of sun exposure
People whose profession requires them to spend many hours outdoors have a greater exposure to ultraviolet light.

It is important to apply sunscreen and cocoa to avoid the development of lip cancer, but also on the skin (body and face).

Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
A healthy and balanced diet will not only help us to strengthen our teeth, it also prevents us from being predisposed to mouth cancer.

This implies eliminating, or at least reducing, alcohol intake and including fruit, vegetables, legumes and fish.

Once the symptomatology is known, it is recommended, therefore, to pay attention to the state of the mouth, as well as to the changes that may occur over time.

If we have doubts about any of these signs, it is preferable to consult a trusted dentist as soon as possible.

In this way, he/she will be able to rule out the disease or, if it has already appeared, to start treatment at an early stage.

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