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Mouth
cancer |
 |
 What
is mouth cancer?  Most people have heard
of cancer affecting parts of the body such as the lungs or breasts.
However, cancer can occur in the mouth, where the disease can affect
the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat.Who can be affected
by mouth cancer? Mouth cancers are more
common in people over 40, particularly men. However, research has
shown that mouth cancer is becoming more common in younger patients
and in women. There are, on average, 3800 new cases of mouth cancer
diagnosed in the UK each year. Only half these patients will survive.
If cancers are diagnosed and treated early enough, the death rate
could be dramatically reduced.What can cause mouth
cancer? Most cases of mouth
cancer are linked to tobacco and alcohol. Cigarette, cigar and pipe
smoking are the main forms of tobacco use in the UK. However, the
traditional ethnic habits of chewing tobacco, Betel Quid, Gutkha and
Paan are particularly dangerous. Alcohol increases the risk of mouth
cancer, and if tobacco and alcohol are consumed together the risk
is even greater. Over-exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk
of cancer of the lips. What does mouth cancer
look like? Mouth cancer can appear
in different forms and can affect all parts of the mouth, tongue and
lips. Mouth cancer can occur whether people have their own natural
teeth or wear false teeth (dentures). Sometimes a white or red patch
in the mouth may develop into cancer, but most often cancer appears
as a painless ulcer that does not clear up. It is important to visit
your dentist if these areas do not heal within two weeks. How can mouth cancer
be detected? During a dental examination
the dentist will not only check the teeth, but the cheeks, tongue,
gums and lips as well. The mouth is simple to inspect so it is easy
to spot early signs of cancer. There are also products available that
can be applied as a solution around the mouth and will highlight any
suspicious areas with a special dye. What happens if my
dentist suspects I have mouth cancer? If your dentist suspects
that your mouth shows signs of cancer, they will refer you to a consultant
at the local hospital, who will carry out a thorough examination of
your mouth and throat. A small sample of the cells may be gathered
from the area (a biopsy), and these cells will be examined under the
microscope to see whether they are cancerous or not.What happens if mouth
cancer is diagnosed? If the cells are cancerous,
more tests will be carried out. These may include overall health checks,
blood tests, x-rays or scans. These tests will decide what course
of treatment is needed. How is mouth cancer
treated? Treatment may come
in the form of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a mixture of
them all, depending on the nature and stage of the cancer. What are the side effects
of treatment? There are different
side effects that can arise following treatment, such as breathing,
swallowing and eating difficulties. Speech may also be affected, and
occasionally even lost. Facial disfigurement can also occur. However,
techniques in reconstructive surgery have advanced.
Social and psychological issues,
such as difficulty in communicating, low self-esteem, social isolation
and the impact on relationships can cause just as much distress
to lives as the cancer itself. Regular
visits to your dentist could save your life |
