SHARES
Do you know that an estimated of 657,000 new cases of oral cancer with more than 330,000 deaths occur worldwide every year? Moreover, it has a particularly high burden in South and Southeast Asia due to the risk factor exposures. For instance, betel quid chewing and patterns of tobacco and alcohol use. Often, oral cancer is only discovered when it has spread to other areas such as the lymph nodes. Besides that, in its early stages oral cancer may not be noticed as it can develop without causing pain or symptoms, making it particularly dangerous and important to be diagnosed early.
What are the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
Oral cancer can occur anywhere in the mouth. Some of the common areas of occurrence include the lips, tongue and throat, as well as the salivary glands, sinuses, pharynx and larynx. Early detection is crucial in managing the condition. Therefore, it is important to visit the dentist immediately if any of the following symptoms persist for more than two weeks:
- Ulcers, swellings or lumps anywhere in or around the mouth, tongue or throat
- Areas of red or white patches on the lining of the mouth and tongue
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- Feeling of a lump or object stuck in the throat or tongue
- Pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth including the tongue
- Loose teeth with no apparent reason or a non-healing tooth socket
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- Difficulty in chewing, swallowing or speaking as well as moving the jaw or tongue
- Lingering soreness in throat or changes in voice leading to hoarseness
- Pain in one of the ears without loss of hearing
- Unexplained weight loss
What are some common risk factors to oral cancer?
The exact cause of oral cancer is unclear but there are certain lifestyle risk factors which may contribute to oral cancer.
- Tobacco and alcohol
According to NHS, both tobacco and alcohol are carcinogenic. This means that they contain chemicals which can damage the DNA in cells and lead to cancer. Tobacco of any kind such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco increase the risk of developing oral cancer. The Mouth Cancer Foundation has reported that 90% of oral cancer patients consume tobacco.
- Betel quid use
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Habit of chewing betel quid, which is a leaf from the betel plant wrapped around areca nut and lime is also associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. This is very common among the Southeast Asian population.
- Ultraviolet light from sun exposure
Cancers of the lip commonly found among people who work outdoors especially those with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sun rays are said to trigger the development of oral cancer.
- Age and gender
The average age of oral cancer is 62, and two-thirds of individuals with this disease are over 55 years old. For gender, oral cancer is twice as common in men as in women. A possible reason to this is related to the use of alcohol and tobacco which is higher in men than women.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
There has been a rise in the subset of oral cancers associated with sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, specifically the HPV 16 type. The HPV immunisation vaccine helps prevent HPV infection and it is best to have the vaccine during growing years of children from the age of 9.
Read more: Can HPV vaccine prevent cancers?
Why is early detection of oral cancer important?
Like other forms of cancer, early diagnosis is crucial. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher the survival rates. If the cancer has not spread to the surrounding tissues, the 5-year survival rates for oral cancer of the tongue, lip and floor of the mouth range between 75 to 93 percent. The later the stage of the cancer or when the cancer has spread to other areas, the survival rates will drop significantly.
Conclusion
It is important to have regular dental check ups and be alert to any early warning signs of oral cancer such as non-healing mouth sores, white or red patches, persistent pain or tenderness. Prompt treatment reduces the likelihood of precancerous cells turning malignant. Moreover, cutting down tobacco and alcohol can help to decrease the risk of developing oral cancer.
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
