World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do, make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘We can. I can.’ make a difference to the fight against cancer.
Oral cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the world.
Let's pledge to raise awareness of cancer, its treatment and to encourage methods of prevention.
8 Signs of Early Oral Cancer you must NOT Ignore
- Sores, swellings, lumps or thick patches anywhere in or around your mouth or throat
- Ulcer in the mouth not healing after 2 weeks
- Areas of red or white lesions in your mouth or lips
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Swellings that make wearing dentures uncomfortable
Eliminate / Reduce the following to reduce your likelihood of getting Oral Cancer
- Tobacco /Alcohol Use: Most cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, or the use of both tobacco and alcohol together.
- Self Check: Poorly fitting dentures, jagged edges in the mouth due to broken teeth/ fillings/ crowns, poor oral hygiene.
- HPV: Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked to a subset of oral cancers.
- Sun Exposure: Cancer of the lip can be caused by sun exposure.
- Diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.