Contents:
- Medical Video: Throat Cancer
- What causes oral cancer?
- How high is the life expectancy of oral cancer patients?
- Symptoms and characteristics of oral cancer that you should be aware of
Medical Video: Throat Cancer
Cancer is abnormal growth of cells of the body's previously healthy cells that turn into cancer cells. Because it starts from the cell, cancer can occur in any part of the body. Included in the mouth. Oral cancer covers all areas of the mouth, starting from the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, gums, palate, sinuses (nasal cavity connected to the mouth), and throat. Mouth and throat cancer ranks sixth as the most common cancer globally. What causes oral cancer and what are the features of oral cancer?
What causes oral cancer?
The cause of oral cancer is not yet known. But certain risk factors can trigger the development of cancerous cells that are malignant in the mouth area. For example, poor oral (oral and dental) hygiene, chronic gum disease, untreated cavities, smoking and drinking habits, HPV virus infection, excessive sun exposure, to genetics.
Previous studies have found that smokers are 1.6 times more at risk for oral cancer. Meanwhile, the risk of oral cancer in people who do not maintain good oral hygiene increases up to 2.34 times that of people who maintain their oral hygiene.
How high is the life expectancy of oral cancer patients?
The life expectancy of oral cancer patients can be quite high, which is 81% in the first year, 56% in the first 5 years, and 41% in the 10th year.
But generally oral cancer is detected at an advanced stage. Because the characteristics of oral cancer in the early stages are not too clear, so it is often ignored. In fact, oral cancer is often found by dentists when performing routine dental controls. Therefore, it is very important to know the initial symptoms of oral cancer.
Symptoms and characteristics of oral cancer that you should be aware of
The following are the signs and characteristics of oral cancer that you need to watch out for:
- Swelling / thickening, bumps, rough spots, or areas that are eroded on the lips, gums, or other areas of the mouth.
- White, red, or speckled spots appear velvety textured in the mouth. These white patches, known as leukoplakia, are the most common feature of oral cancer.
- Lip, gum, deep cheek or tongue without cause bleeding
- Numbness / numbness without cause, loss or decreased ability to taste.
- Persistent wounds on the face, neck, or mouth area that easily bleed and do not heal within two weeks.
- There is a feeling of pain or blockage in the back of the throat that lasts a long time.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, talking, or moving your jaw or tongue.
- Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, or changes in sound.
- Ear pain.
- Drastic weight loss.
If you do not have the symptoms and characteristics of oral cancer above, it is still advisable to take precautions by conducting an independent examination at least once a month. This can be done alone at home using light and mirrors and feeling for all parts of the mouth yourself. But don't forget to do a routine check up at the dentist.
American Cancer Society recommend oral cancer screening checks every 3 years for people over 20 years and every year for people over 40 years old. And if you find the symptoms above, it is recommended to immediately consult a doctor or dentist.
