Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that cause damage to the surrounding tissue. For oral cancer can be defined as a growth or sore in mouth, lips, tongue, cheek, a floor of the mouth, hard, and soft palate that does not go away. This condition should be seriously concerned and treated.
The symptoms of oral cancer
- Lumps or bumps, swelling, rough spot on the gums, tongue, or lips
- The development of velvety red, white, or speckled patches in the mouth
- Bleeding in the mouth
- Numbness and the loss of feeling in the area of the mouth, face and neck
- Always have a sore or wound in the mouth or on the next, face and don’t heal within 2 weeks
- Have a problem with chewing, speaking or swallowing
- Ear pain
- The change of teeth position
- Weight loss
Who more likely to get oral cancer
Men tend to have oral cancer 2 times higher in risk more than women especially men in age 50. The risk factors that increase the development of oral cancer are :
- Smoking: Smokers are 6 times higher in risk for having oral cancer than the non-smoker. Fact, dipping snuffing and chewing tobacco products are 50 times in developing oral cancer (gum, cheek, lining, and lips)
- Alcoholic : Same like smokers. Drinker are 6 times higher in risk for having oral cancer than non-drinkers
- Family history of cancer
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Excessive sun exposure
However, more than 25% of people who are a non-smoker and drink sometimes do have oral cancer occurred.
The outlook for people with oral cancer
- 81% of a patient with oral cancer are 1-year survival and 46-56% are 5 and 10-year survival
How oral cancer treated?
Normally, oral cancer is treated in the same way as others cancers. Firstly, do the surgery to remove the cancerous growth along with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to get rid of cancer cells.