Oral cancer – Prevention and Diagnosis

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Oral cancer Prevention and Diagnosis

• Curie Health

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Oral cancers

• Cancer is one of the biggest public health
  threats in the modern world.
• Oral cancers affect more people in developing
  countries than in the developed countries. Males
  are more prone to this type of cancer.
• According to the World Health Organisation, In
  India, the incidence rate of oral cancer is 12.6
  per 100,000 of the population.
• Tobacco use and excessive alcohol can be blamed
  for almost 90 of the oral cancers.

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Preventing oral cancer

• Quit smoking or tobacco chewing habits this is
  the first step to reducing your chances of
  developing oral cancer. Substitute tobacco with
  nicotine gum or other substitutes.
• Quit excessive drinking research suggests that
  no more than 14 units ( 6 pints of beer or 7
  glasses of wine). Drinking beyond these healthy
  levels might substantially increase chances of
  developing cancer.

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Preventing oral cancer

• Visiting a dentist regularly A broken tooth that
  is impinging on your cheek, a long standing ulcer
  etc should be treated promptly by a dentist.
  These have a possibility of cancerous
  transformation if left without treatment and
  needs to be addressed immediately.
• Healthy and balanced diet foods rich in vitamins
  and other essential nutrients can reduce chances
  of developing cancer.

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Preventing oral cancer

• Avoid UV radiation exposure Risk of developing
  cancer due to this source is more common in fair
  skinned individuals. Adequate measures should be
  taken to protect over exposure to sun by using
  sun screen or other similar barrier creams.
• Quit unprotected sex or sex with multiple
  partners Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is said to
  be one of the most common causes of oral cancer
  and this spreads through oral sex. Therefore,
  precautions should be taken to avoid this.

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HPV Realted oral cancer
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Early symptoms of Oral Cancer

• Oral cancer can be deducted early and the
  following are the common symptoms
• Non healing , long standing mouth ulcers lasting
  for over 20 days.
• White or reddish patch in the inner cheek or lip
  which cannot be scrapped off
• Unusual swellings or lumps in the oral cavity or
  neck
• Sudden changes in taste or voice

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Early symptoms of Oral Cancer

• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing associated with
  or without pain
• Pain or numbness in the ear, neck, facial regions
• Sudden loosening of teeth
• Long standing sore throat or hoarseness in voice
• Sudden excessive salivation or bleeding from the
  gums
• Unexplained dryness of mouth or burning sensation
• Sudden , rapid growth weight loss

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picture courtesy Thailand Medical News
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Detecting cancer

• A dentist usually can spot oral cancer at a very
  early stage. Detecting cancer early makes
  treatment and rehabilitation much easier.
  Therefore, visiting a dentist every 6 months is
  very crucial for any adult.

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Curie Health

• Visit https//curie.health/ to book an
  appointment with a dentist near you.