Introduction
Your smile is a powerful tool. It can convey happiness, confidence, and joy. But what if your smile is under threat from a silent killer like oral cancer? Oral cancer is a serious health condition that affects lakhs of people, especially in India. The World’s ¼ total Oral Cancer cases are diagnosed in India. The good news is that there are steps one can take to reduce your risk. In this blog, we’ll discuss the prevention of oral cancer and the importance of early detection.
Understanding Oral Cancer
Oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, gums, and the inner lining of the cheeks. The leading causes of oral cancer are tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, weak immune system and viral infections.
Prevention Tips
Say No to Tobacco: Smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco products significantly increase your risk of oral cancer. 80% of total Oral Cancer are caused by the use of Tobacco. Smoking cigarettes, bidi and using smokeless tobacco products puts oneself on the risk of developing an oral Cancer. Quitting smoking and avoiding tobacco altogether is one of the most effective way to prevent oral cancer. A visit to your Oncologist / Cancer Specialist can help you in quitting tobacco and thereby preventing Oral Cancer altogether.
Avoid Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol consumption is another major risk factor for oral cancer. It has a synergistic effect along with tobacco in causing Oral Cancer. There are medicine and various non-medicinal options to help you avoid alcohol.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential for overall oral health and cancer prevention. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and visit your doctor regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Pay attention to any unusual changes in your mouth, such as sores that don’t heal, white or red patches, or swelling.
Eat a Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and antioxidants that can help protect against oral cancer. Include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in your meals to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients.
Regular Screenings: Regular oral cancer screenings by a cancer specialist is important. They can detect early signs of oral cancer when it’s most treatable. Be active in scheduling these screenings, especially if you have risk factors like smoking. The screening can detect cancer at an early stage, where cure rates are very high
Conclusion
Preventing oral cancer requires a combination of lifestyle choices, regular screenings, and awareness. Remember, early detection is key to successful treatment, so don’t neglect regular check-ups with your healthcare provider or dentist. Your smile is worth protecting, and with these prevention tips, you can do just that.
References
Bouvard V, Nethan ST, Singh D, Warnakulasuriya S, Mehrotra R, Chaturvedi AK, Chen TH, Ayo-Yusuf OA, Gupta PC, Kerr AR, Tilakaratne WM. IARC perspective on oral cancer prevention. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022 Nov 24;387(21):1999-2005.
Mangalath, Ummar et al. “Recent trends in prevention of oral cancer.” Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry vol. 4,Suppl 3 (2014): S131-8. doi:10.4103/2231-0762.149018
Sankaranarayanan R, Ramadas K, Amarasinghe H, et al. Oral Cancer: Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment. In: Gelband H, Jha P, Sankaranarayanan R, et al., editors. Cancer: Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (Volume 3). Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2015 Nov 1. Chapter 5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK343649/ doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-0349-9_ch5