5 everyday habits that increase the risk of oral cancer; Early signs you should never ignore

Mouth cancer that develops in any part of the oral cavity, including your lips, gums, tongue or roof of the mouth, begins in squamous cells. Normal squamous cells become cancerous when their DNA changes and the cells begin to grow and multiply. There are many reasons behind these mutations which include excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, unsafe sex and eating unhealthy foods. Read on to know more about oral cancer and its important signs and symptoms that you should not miss.

Mouth cancer includes people who have mouth ulcers that do not heal, as well as red or white spots in the mouth and unusual lumps or swelling in the mouth, head, or neck.

The alarming increase in the number of oral cancer cases around the world has left doctors wondering what are the reasons behind youngsters battling this dreadful disease. Experts say about 377,713 people are being diagnosed with the disease every year, which represents a 133 percent increase in cases over the past 20 years.

Also known as oral cancer, oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in the mouth or any of the parts that make up the oral cavity, including your:

lips
gym
Tongue
inner layer of cheeks
roof of mouth
floor of mouth

This includes people who have mouth ulcers that do not heal, as well as red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swelling in the mouth, head, or neck. Experts believe that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption remain the most important risk factors – along with the increasing number of cases associated with human papillomavirus.

However, despite the worrying increase, many people are not aware of the main causes and factors that put them at risk of this dangerous disease, making them less likely to take steps to reduce their chances of getting it. Is.

Habits That Increase Your Chances of Developing Oral Cancer

And so, some expert-marked daily habits that may make you more likely to develop mouth cancer include:

smoking

According to the American Cancer Association, if someone smokes, his or her risk of oral cancer becomes approximately 5-10 times higher than that of a non-smoker. Doctors say that if they also drink alcohol, the risk increases manifold. Oral cancer is twice or three times more common in men than in women.

Experts suggest that if you smoke, you should get your teeth checked regularly, because if any unpleasant problem comes to the fore, it can be detected earlier.

chewing tobacco

Smokeless tobacco use has been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer. Smokeless tobacco contains tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polonium, formaldehyde, cadmium, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene, which are carcinogenic agents.

alcohol abuse

Drinking too much alcohol affects your health in many ways – including an increased risk of oral cancer. The study states that excessive drinking is linked to 34 percent of oral cancer, making it one of the main causes.

unprotected sex

Doctors say having unprotected sex increases the risk of this disease as it can spread human papillomavirus or HPV – a major cause of oral cancer.

It is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex, as well as oral sex and kissing. Statistics say that the number of oral cancer cases associated with HPV is increasing, with data showing that up to 73 percent of cancers in areas such as the back of the tongue and tonsils are HPV positive. But 8 percent of people know that HPV can cause oral cancer.

unhealthy diet

About one-third of oral cancers are linked to an unhealthy diet and a lack of essential nutrients your body needs to be healthy. It is recommended that you eat a healthy, balanced diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. Doctors recommend a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and essential nutrients which can reduce the risk of developing oral cancer to a great extent.

Research has shown that regularly consuming fruits can reduce your risk by 48 percent, while taking vitamin C supplements can reduce the risk by 24 percent.

Early symptoms of mouth cancer you should not ignore

Some common signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:

Sores on your lips or inside the mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks
rough spots or scaly areas on your lips, gums, or inside your mouth
areas of your mouth that bleed for no apparent reason
Numbness, pain, or tenderness in your face and neck or in your mouth that occurs for no apparent reason
Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
unintentional weight loss
ear pain
persistent bad breath

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