What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a broad term for "cancer" that affects the inside of your mouth. Oral cancer may seem like a common problem with your lips or mouth, such as white patches or bleeding sores. The difference between a common problem and potential cancer is that these changes do not go away. If left untreated, oral cancer can spread through your mouth and throat to other parts of your head and neck.

How Does Oral Cancer Affect the Body?

Oral cancer can affect your mouth and oropharynx. The oropharynx includes parts of your tongue and the roof of your mouth and the middle part of your throat, which can be seen when your mouth is wide open. Cancer in your oropharynx is called oropharyngeal cancer.

The following parts are located in the oral cavity;

• Lips,
• gums,
• inner lining of cheeks,
• the first two-thirds of the tongue,
• The floor of the mouth (the part under the tongue),
• The first part of the roof of the mouth,
• The area just behind the 20-year-old tooth.

What Causes Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer starts in the squamous cells in your oral cavity. Squamous cells are flat and look like fish scales when viewed under a microscope.

Normal squamous cells become cancerous when their DNA changes and the cells begin to grow and multiply. Over time, these cancerous cells can spread to other areas inside your mouth and then to other areas of your head and neck or other parts of your body.

The following habits may increase your risk of developing oral cancer;

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes
• Using smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, snuff, or hookah
• Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis
• Spending a lot of time in the sun without protecting the lips with sunscreen
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Having a family history of oral cancer

What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

• Leukoplakia: These are flat white or gray patches in your mouth or throat.
• Erythroplakia: These are slightly raised or flat red patches. These spots may bleed when scraped.
• Erytroleukoplakia: These spots are red and white.

Other common signs and symptoms include:

• Sores on your lip or inside your mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks.
• Rough spots or crusty areas on your lips, gums, or inside your mouth.
• Bleeding areas in your mouth for no apparent reason.
• Numbness, pain or tenderness in your face and neck or mouth for no apparent reason.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw or tongue.
• Unwanted weight loss.
• Earache.
• Chronic bad breath.

What Can Be Done to Prevent the Development of Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a preventable disease. You can help prevent oral cancer by taking the following precautions and making these practices a habit:

• If you are a tobacco smoker, chewer or hookah smoker; try quitting or cutting. You can talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs.
• If you are a drinker, drink in moderation.
• Don't forget your sunscreen. Use sunscreen that blocks UV-AB on your face and lips.
• Get vaccinated for human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Adopt a balanced diet.
• Have regular dental checkups. People between the ages of 20 and 40 should have oral cancer screening every three years and an annual exam after age 40.