6 Ways to Prevent Getting Oral Cancer
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and the numbers don’t lie. 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. One American dies from oral cancer every hour. This means around 9000 people in this amazing country of ours dies from oral cancer every single year. To make sure you or your loved ones don’t become part of the these statistics, here are a few things you need to know about how to catch oral cancer early on.
Visit your Dentist Regularly
The mortality rate of oral cancer is especially high not because it’s tough to diagnose or see in the mouth, but rather because it’s caught in the late stages of the disease. This is typically because people don’t see the dentist on a regular basis. So by the time you feel something is wrong inside your mouth, it’s already too late. Many times when oral cancer is found in people, it can be in the late stages and require disfiguring surgery in order to safe your life. So be sure to visit your dentist at regular intervals, no longer than 6 months between visits. It could save your life!
Stop Using Tobacco
The number one risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco use. Whether it’s cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff or chewing tobacco, it’s all bad news for your mouth. So quit using the stuff, your mouth and significant other will thank you for it! After all, nobody like kissing an ashtray, right?
Limit or Stop Alcohol Use
Alcohol use, especially in conjunction with tobacco use, skyrockets your chances of getting oral cancer. Not just drinking alcohol, but even swishing with mouthwashes that contain any amount of alcohol will increase your risk. So ditch the booze and you’ll get to keep your tongue so you can keep enjoying delicious food sans the wine pairing!
Brush tour Teeth & Eat Healthy
Poor oral hygiene along with poor nutrition can exacerbate poor oral health thereby leading to and increased risk of oral cancer. So flossing and brushing remain a key ingredient to an overall healthy smile.
Get Tested for HPV
Exposure to HPV (Human PapillomaVirus 16 & 18 in particular) increases your risk of getting oral cancer.
There is no cure for the virus, and it typically leaves the body within 2 years. However, it is when the virus stays long term in your body that might cause oral cancer. Only about 10% of people who have HPV infection will ever turn into a malignant oral cancer. Today there are HPV vaccines than can help prevent the exposure to HPV, and in turn prevent not just oropharyngeal, but various other types of cancers as well.
Conduct a Monthly Self-Exam
It’s tough to see inside your entire mouth, but get a bright light and check your mouth at least once a month. Stick out and lift up your tongue and look underneath it. Pull out your lips and check the front area of your gums. Next lean back and look at the roof of your mouth, then finally pull out your cheeks and check around. Also check for any lumps or bumps that are sore in your neck and underneath your jaw. Also if you have a persistent issue with swallowing properly, or feel any pain then take note of it. In your mouth, if you see any white patches (leukoplakia), red patches (erythroplakia), white & red patches (erythroleukoplakia) or any sores that bleed and don’t heal within 2 weeks, then go see your dentist immediately to get a proper diagnosis.
The numbers show that oral cancer is 2 times as more prevalent in men than in women. But no matter what your gender is, be sure to follow the guidelines above and complete a monthly self-examination in your mouth. This way you can catch oral cancer early on and seek the necessary treatment so you can continue to live a full and healthy life!
If you live in Palm Beach County, give us a call and schedule an Oral Cancer Screening Today!