Whilst being the most serious risk arising from poor dental hygiene, mouth cancer is one of the less common forms of cancer. The term mouth or oral cancer can be used to refer to cancer on the surface of the tongue, mouth, lips, gums, the salivary glands, tonsils and the pharynx. Mouth or oral cancer is one of the least common forms of cancer, and arises among 1 in 50 cancer cases approximately. Approximately 6,200 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year in the UK; most of these are over 60 and it affects more men than women. There have been more cases of younger people with oral cancer in recent years, which are believed to be caused by increased alcohol usage or exposure to HPF.
What are the causes of mouth cancer?
The most common causes of mouth cancer include:
- Tobacco and alcohol – No surprises that these are the main causes of mouth cancer. A cancer study in UK found that a third of mouth and throat cancers were caused by drinking alcohol. People who smoke and drink are at the highest risk for oral cancer. Chewing tobacco or betel quid (another chewable tobacco mix which is popular in developing countries) is one the highest causes of mouth cancer in developing countries.
- Diet - A poor diet can increase the risk of oral cancer due to a lack of zinc or other vitamins and minerals. Diets that contain lots of red meat and fried food are thought to increase the chances of oral cancer. A well-balanced diet, with plenty of protein and zinc is recommended. A diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables is believed to reduce the risk of oral cancer, as these are likely to contain Vitamin A which helps protect against mouth cancer.
What are the symptoms of mouth cancer?
- One or more mouth ulcers that do not heal, or bleed easily on touch
- Persistent pain in the mouth or throat
- Red or white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
- Prolonged swelling in the mouth
What are the treatment options?
There are three main treatment options for mouth cancer:
- Surgery – an operation can remove the cancerous cells, and in some cases some of the surrounding tissue
- Chemotherapy – powerful medications are used to kill cancerous cells
- Radiotherapy – high energy X-rays are used to kill cancerous cells
These treatments are often used in combination. For example, a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be given after surgery to help prevent the cancer from returning.
What are the chances of survival?
Mouth cancer is usually curable if it is discovered at an early stage. It is estimated that 80% people with early-stage mouth cancer will live at least five years after their diagnosis, and many for a lot longer.
If oral cancer reaches an advanced stage the outlook becomes poor. This is particularly true if the cancer has spread outside of the mouth and into the surrounding tissue. In these cases it is estimated that only 1 in 5 people will live for at least five years after their diagnosis.
This Article was submitted on behalf of Affordable Dental Implants.
