Mouth cancer: find out how to recognize the disease early

Smoking and drinking alcohol are among the main risk factors for mouth cancer. See the symptoms of the disease

Mouth cancer covers malignant tumors that affect the mouth and part of the throat. Therefore, the disease can develop on the lips, tongue, palate, gums, tonsils and salivary glands. If detected early, treatment is more effective, increasing the chances of recovery.

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“Detecting mouth cancer at an early stage is crucial. This can make treatment less invasive and significantly improve recovery prospects. Therefore, I emphasize the importance of a regular oral self-examination. Any warning signs, such as wounds that do not heal or abnormal imperfections, must be evaluated by an experienced healthcare professional,” warns Dr. Debora Vianna, a specialist in Head and Neck Surgery with a doctorate in oral cancers from USP.

Risk factors

According to the Ministry of Health, the main risk factors for the disease include:

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Exposure to the sun without protection;
• Excess body fat (overweight and obesity);
• Exposure to cutting oil, asbestos, wood dust, leather dust, cement, grains, textile and leather dust, asbestos, formaldehyde, silica, coal soot, organic solvents and pesticides;
• HPV virus infection.

According to the doctor, it is possible to prevent the onset of the disease by avoiding risk factors and adopting other health measures. “As well as avoiding excess tobacco and alcohol, it may be helpful to maintain a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. This provides antioxidants which may help prevent cancer. Additionally, regular visits to the dentist are important as they can also detect early signs of mouth cancer,” he says.

Warning signs

According to the Ministry of Health, symptoms of mouth cancer include:

• Lesions (wounds) in the oral cavity or lips that do not heal for more than 15 days, which may bleed and grow;
• Red or whitish spots/plaques on the tongue, gums, roof of the mouth, or cheeks;
• Nodules (lumps) in the neck;
• Persistent hoarseness.

In more advanced cases, the patient presents:

• Difficulty chewing and swallowing;
• Difficulty speaking;
• Sensation that there is something stuck in the throat;
• Difficulty moving the tongue.

Raising awareness about mouth cancer can save lives

Debora underlines the importance of spreading information about the disease, to alert the population. “Awareness is key. Promoting educational campaigns that highlight the importance of self-examination, regular visits to the dentist and risk factors can make a big difference. We can all play a role in spreading this vital information. Remember, cancer of the mouth in an advanced stage has a worse prognosis”, he warns.

It also reminds us that oral health is an integral part of our overall health. This is why care is so important. “Carry out an oral self-examination, maintain a healthy lifestyle and seek professional help whenever you have doubts. Mouth cancer is treatable, especially if diagnosed early,” emphasizes the specialist.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.