Mouth Cancer Awareness Month
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Mouth cancer is a serious issue, a disease that has been diagnosed in 40000 people in the US in the year 2014. Cancer itself is defined as an uncontrollable growth of cells that are damaging and invasive towards the surrounding tissue.
Mouth cancer makes itself known as a growth on the palate, the lips, the tongue, cheeks, sinuses, and the pharynx, that is, the throat. It has the ability to spread to the surrounding areas, and in two ways:
Directly – Where it infects the immediate surroundings, the jaw and the surrounding skin. Indirectly, that is, through the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system runs throughout the body, and it uses vessels and glands to produce cells which combat diseases and other nuisances that are in the way of your body’s normal functions.
Mouth cancer which spreads to other parts is known as a metastatic oral cancer, and it is often referred to as a secondary. The usual place where you will find secondary’s is in the lymph glands in the neck.
Mouth Cancer Causes and Tips for Prevention:
There are various causes of mouth cancer, and while most of them are not clear, things that you can point a finger at, there are several risk factors that have been determined for sure.
Firstly, tobacco is a giant risk factor for developing mouth cancer. People who indulge in smoking or, even worse, heavy smoking, are at a huge risk of developing mouth cancer, and even more so if they engage in smokeless tobacco. Chewing tobacco and even using snuff can increase the risk of mouth cancer.
Alcohol also increases the risk, especially for heavy drinkers, even those who partake in binge drinking. Occasional drinks can increase the chance, but if you are moderate, you can still enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverages without fear.
Excessive exposure of your lips to the sun can also increase the development of mouth cancer, even more so for those who were exposed at a young age, and for longer periods of time.
A certain nut, that is, a betel nut, actually a seed from the areca palm tree, contains a psychoactive substance, arecoline, which is similar to nicotine in effect, and is often consumed with tobacco. They are chewed, and mostly in southeast Asia, where the tradition of consuming them increases the risk of developing mouth cancer, especially when combined with tobacco.
A bad diet choice can also impact your overall health, and lead to a possible cancer. If you do not balance your diet properly, you might end up with more than just a poor physical outcome, as your immune system also depends on the food that you eat.
The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is a virus that affects the skin and moist membranes, like the ones that you have in your throat and mouth. HPV is sexually transmitted, but, it could be transmitted with just close skin contact.
Last but not least, you should know that poor oral hygiene is also another risk factor in developing mouth cancer, and that is something that you can definitely put a stop to, as are the other things on the list, by paying attention to the details.
Regular brushing, flossing and taking care of your teeth and mouth will keep them healthy, especially without tobacco or alcohol, and with a good, well balanced diet.
Lastly, you should note is that at any sign of trouble, you should contact your dentist immediately, and to prevent that, you should visit your dentist on a regular basis, following the tips above, to make the visit that much better, and to prevent any unpleasant situations that might otherwise arise.
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