Posted in: Mouth / Oral Cancer Treatment by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 15 Dec, 2019
Mouth Cancer, also known as oral cancer develops in the throat or mouth. It belongs to a larger group of cancer called head and neck. Mostly, it develops in the squamous cells found in the lips, mouth or tongue.
What you eat and how you live has a big impact on your risk of developing mouth cancer. It is normal to feel upset, frightened, and confused.
At What Age Does Mouth Cancer Occur?
Several number of oral cancer cases are detected each year occurring usually in people over 40 years. These are most often discovered after they have spread to the lymph nodes of the neck. Early detection is a key to surviving oral cancer.
Research suggests that only 5-10% of cancer cases can be ascribed to genetics, whereas the remaining bracket of 90-95% has the lead causes in environment and lifestyle. The factors include cigarette smoking, unhealthy foods, alcohol, sun exposure, obesity, stress, and physical inactivity.
What Does Early Stages of Mouth Cancer Look Like?
Early signs such as lip or mouth sores with persistent pain are mistaken for other likely health issues. Mouth cancer occurs when cells in the lips or mouth develop changes in the DNA. These alterations allow the cancer cells to continue growing and dividing when healthy cells would die.The abnormal cells can form a tumour. It may spread inside the mouth and other areas of the neck or the body.
These usually begin in the flat, thin cells which line your lips and inside of the mouth. Visiting the dentist on time is a great way to ensure early detection and start oral cancer treatment. If the dentist or doctor suspects oral cancer, you will undergo a physical exam as well as a biopsy.
What are the Main Causes of Mouth Cancer?
Some of the main causes of mouth cancer include smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco. People who consume huge amounts of tobacco and alcohol are at even greater risk if used regularly. Other reasons of mouth cancer are -
- Poor oral hygiene: People with poor oral health may have several missing teeth, bleeding gums or chronic infections from bacteria and viruses like HPV. The risk for kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancer is much higher for people who have poor oral health. Maintain a good oral hygiene to keep the mouth healthy. Dentists will examine the inside of your mouth, tongue and your oral cavity. Remember, the sooner it is detected the better the chances of survival.
- Excessive exposure to sun: Staying in the sun for extended hours, not wearing sunscreen and going to a tanning salon raises the chances of developing lip cancer. Wearing lip balm with a high SPF helps protect the lips from extreme exposure. But, oral cancer from UV rays has reduced due to more awareness and protection from the sun.
- Poor Diet: A poor diet lacking healthy minerals and vitamins can also increase the risk of mouth cancer. You should consume a diet full of healthy supplements and minerals. Substances like carotenoids, which are common in vegetables and fruit, are linked with a lower risk of oral cancer.
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus): Cancers which are linked to the HPV are usually found at the back of the throat, in the tonsils or the base of the tongue. Though with proper oral cancer treatment the cases of oral cancer are dropping, cases due to HPV have been rising.
- Betel Quid and Areca Nut: Betel quid and areca nut contain cancer-causing substances. People who chew betel quid or areca nut have a higher risk of developing oral cancer, especially in the inner lining of the cheeks and lips.
- Consuming huge amounts of Alcohol: People consuming large amounts of alcohol are usually diagnosed with oral cancer. There is a documented link between drinking alcohol and mouth cancer. As we know that the link between alcohol and cancer isn’t completely understood, it appears that alcohol can damage your tissues and might help harmful chemicals enter and remain in your body. Cutting your alcohol consumption limits your risk of further tissue damage, and might also help you lose weight, further reducing your mouth or throat cancer risk.
- Excessive tobacco intake: Smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing mouth cancer by up to 10 times. This includes smoking cigars, cigarettes, pipes or chewing tobacco is one of the most common risks of oral cancer. The mouth cancer specialists in India claim that around two in every three (more than 60%) mouth cancers are linked to smoking. There is evidence that second-hand smoke at home or in the workplace can increase also increase a person’s risk of mouth cancer.
The remaining factors include like radiation, stress, physical activity, environmental pollutants, a family history or previous diagnosis of oral cancer. Men are twice as likely to get an oral cancer as women are. Therefore, if you are looking for cancer prevention you need to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, quit smoking, avoid direct exposure to the sun, go for regular screenings, and limit alcohol intake.
How do you beat Mouth Cancer by Changing your Lifestyle?
Around 30-35% of cancer deaths are linked to unhealthy lifestyle, hence a huge chunk of cancer deaths can be prevented by modifying the diet and adopting healthy habits. Diet and weight loss is important for cancer prevention, combining a good diet with other healthy lifestyle habits which can further lower your risk of mouth cancer. Though the researchers and scientists cannot understand the complete link between cancer and unhealthy lifestyle, they do suggest some tips to improve your overall health and reduce your mouth cancer risk by:
- Get around 120-150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
- Eat a diet which is mainly plant-based and avoid processed food and red meat.
- Maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Hence, lifestyle changes can cut the number of cancer-related deaths by a huge number. Remember a healthy diet, exercise, and better choices might lead to a longer and healthier life.
What are the Treatment options for Mouth Cancer?
Mouth Cancer Treatment varies depending on the type, location, general health and stage of the cancer while diagnosis. In conventional treatment, it may be required to remove the outgrowth through surgery, followed by radiation or chemotherapy to destroy the remaining cells. immunotherapy is an effective mouth cancer treatment. It strengthens and restores the immune system’s ability to fight cancer and treat recurring and metastatic oral cancer without any side effects. The treatment can be taken in parallel with chemotherapy or radiotherapy; it helps in preventing the side effects of the same.
About The Author
Dr. Tarang Krishna
Dr. Tarang Krishna, Director at Cancer Healer Center, is the perfect epitome of perseverance and dedication.
He has an impressive educational background to his credit. He completed his under-graduation in Medicine and Surgery from Pune, India and did his MD (Hom) from Agra University, India.Thesis on MD was on "Treatment of cancer" where he presented cases of almost 100 patients and the response of the medicines in the treatment of cancer. He then completed his Ph.d in Oncology from the United Kingdom and his thesis on the ‘Efficacy of Medicines in the Treatment of Cancer’ is greatly commemorated and honored.
He befittingly represents alternate medicine and has contributed significantly towards the development and research of immunotherapy.
Through his nationwide chain of “Cancer Healer Center” clinics he strives to offer superior cancer treatment, using immunotherapy.
