3 Signs Of Oral Cancer You Should Check At Home Before It Is Too Late
New Delhi: Oral cancer is one of the deadliest that develops on the tongue, the tissue lining the mouth and gums, under the tongue, at the base of the tongue, and the area of the throat at the back of the mouth. According to health experts, oral cancer accounts for roughly 3 per cent of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, or about 53,000 new cases each year. The most common oral cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, constituting 94.08 per cent of all epithelial tumors and 80.05 per cent of all oral cancer cases. Doctors say when caught early, oral cancer is much easier to treat, yet most people get a diagnosis when their condition is too advanced or reaches a life-threatening stage. And that is why here are a few signs you must take seriously and examine yourself at home, before seeing your doctor: Lumps, ulcers, swelling If you spot recurrent mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks, unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth that do not heal, or swelling on your tongue, you may be in serious trouble. According to doctors, any ulcers or red or white patches anywhere in the mouth should be checked by the doctor. Red patches in your mouth that look and feel velvety are called erythroplakia which are usually precancerous. According to studies1ore than 80 per cent of the time erythroplakia are cancerous and can be diagnosed after a biopsy. Sore throat and difficulty swallowing If you have been experiencing difficulty in swallowing food for a long time, it can be one of the signs of mouth cancer. Also, doctors insist on getting checked for chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists for more than six weeks. Also, you should know how to distinguish a canker sore, which burns, stings, or tingles in the mouth, from something more serious. In the early stages, mouth cancer rarely causes any pain, however, as it grows you may even find it difficult to swallow anything. Doctors say mouth sores are usually not malignant, but not necessary that they cannot become cancerous. Numbness and teeth loss Even though mouth cancer causes pain, it is also accompanied by numbness because cancer damages the nerves that control sensation. This can cause numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, or face. Also, any loss of a tooth with or without tooth replacement, causes a two to three-fold increase in the risk of oral cancer for men and a five to eight-fold increased risk for women2. Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 1:31 am