Red May is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, a disease that requires early diagnosis to increase the chances of a cure.
We are in Red May, month of awareness of mouth cancer, a malignant tumor that can affect the lips and other structures of the oral cavity. In Brazil, in 2023 alone, the National Cancer Institute (INCA) counted more than 15 thousand new cases of the disease, 10,900 in men and 4,200 in women. This cancer is the fifth most common in men in the country, especially after age 40.
Risk factors
Clinical oncologist Eliana Araújo, coordinator of the oncology sector at Amhemed Hospital, explains that the higher incidence of diagnoses in men can be attributed to exposure to multiple risk factors. However, she stresses that everyone needs to be aware and take precautions.
“The main risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, excessive exposure to the sun without protection, poor oral hygiene and HPV virus infection. Genetics can also influence, especially in families with a history of young patients diagnosed with mouth cancer,” he warns.
Symptoms of mouth cancer
The specialist warns that the early signs and symptoms of mouth cancer can vary, but generally include:
- Non-healing lesions in the oral cavity, such as on the lips, gums, and palate;
- Bleeding;
- Changes in speech;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Rapidly growing lesions.
“At any sign, consult a doctor. When the diagnosis is late, cervical nodules may appear,” warns the doctor. He also emphasizes that, in case of a suspicious injury, the patient should consult a doctor who specializes in head and neck.
Importance of early diagnosis
Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose the disease as early as possible. This is because the chance of cure in patients with early-stage tumors is greater than 95%. However, in more advanced cases, where there are symptoms such as pain or difficulty moving the tongue, this chance of recovery can drop to as low as 45%.
Treatment of the disease
“The treatment of mouth cancer is multidisciplinary and involves surgery in the initial cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the more advanced stages, as well as speech therapy, nutritional and physiotherapeutic support”, underlines Eliana.
It is worth noting that side effects of treatment can be significant. “Surgery for advanced cancer can be disfiguring, while radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy can cause radiodermatitis, loss of taste, dry saliva, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, intestinal changes and decreased immunity, increasing the risk of infection,” says the oncologist.
Prevention of mouth cancer
The doctor also reiterates that prevention and attention to the first signs are always the best way. According to her, preventing the disease is a fundamental attitude that involves simple but effective measures.
“Cessation of smoking, reduction of alcohol consumption, sun protection for the lips and a healthy diet are essential. Additionally, regular follow-up with dentists for oral hygiene is essential, as these professionals are often the first to identify suspicious lesions and direct them to specialist treatment”, underlines the oncologist.
According to the specialist, Red May is an opportunity to reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and prevention of mouth cancer, promoting the health and quality of life of men and women.
Source: Terra
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.
