Oral cancer is one of the most deadly cancers that we can get. If it is left untreated you can expect to live about five years. However if it is diagnosed early, it is one of the more treatable cancers.
White patches or leukoplakia inside your mouth are one of the most common oral cancer symptoms to watch out for. Another type would be erythroleukoplakia, which is a mixture of red and white patches . If you see red patches or erythroplakia, then you definitely need to set up an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
When diagnosing throat cancer symptoms, your doctor may ask for a series of tests in order to be certain. After all, some symptoms are triggered by other conditions that may not be as severe. A laryngoscopy will be the first of this, a type of exam that is done by examining the throat with the aid of a tube with a small lighted camera affixed to it.
The symptoms for oral cancer are very general which might sometimes turn out to be some other disease but nevertheless it is better to go to a dentist or a general physician or ENT specialist to rule out any possibility. The few visible symptoms are: white or red patch on the lips, inside of the mouth or around mouth which has been there for long.
Self-examination is easy and requires that you check face, neck, head, lips, mouth, tongue and cheek. Check for any lumps, bumps or swelling. Also notice any size or changes in moles or sores. Is there tenderness or numbness anywhere.
If your doctor notices that you have any of the above signs, then he or she will recommend that have the affected area looked at more closely by a specialist. Typically, a biopsy will be performed on the tumor so that the specialist will be able to determine whether or not it is malignant cancer.
Oral screenings are a routine part of regular dental check-ups. A dentist can find a flat, painless white or red spot which may be suspicious and still be completely unnoticed by the patient. Testing of the suspicious cells can be done quickly and if they turn out to be either cancerous or even pre-cancerous, the cells can be surgically removed.
Studies have shown that a diet low in fruits and vegetables may put you more at risk for oral cancer, and other studies indicate that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may protect against many types of cancer.
Men have twice the risk to develop oral cancer and men and women over the age of 50 face the greatest oral cancer risk [2]. In addition to these demographics of oral cancer patients, there are several lifestyle choices that contribute to risk for this disease.
Do not use tobacco in any form. The Surgeon General has warned us that tobacco use is bad for our health and is proven to cause cancer. Also, avoid those that smoke. Second hand smoke is worse that if you smoked the cigarettes yourself.
Often mouth ulcers don't heal; up and the jaws or the oral regions remain affected for log weeks, this can be the initial stage of oral cancer and it is prudent to seek advice of the dentists at the earliest
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