Tobacco – The Silent Killer:
Tobacco kills up to half of its users. There are various forms in which tobacco is used like cigarettes, E-cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and chewing (smokeless) tobacco. Tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for oral cancer in developing countries.
Dr. Vipin Goel, Senior Consultant, Surgical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad says, “In India over 80% of the cases are attributable to the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption. More teens and young adults are using tobacco for various reasons. If the present trend continues, the condition will further worsen with more and more cases of oral cancers in the near future amongst youngsters.”
Initial symptoms of oral cancer:
Difficulty in swallowing:
Oral cancer can also be associated with difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving of tongue. You might have a food-in-throat sensation. Another factor contributing to difficulty swallowing is a narrowing of the food stream (Oesophagus).
Ulcers, white and red patch:
The most common presentation for oral cancer is an ulcer that does not heal. A white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth. The patches are not associated with cancer if you have antifungal medication and they disappear.
Missing teeth:
Dr. Goel says, “Tooth loss has also been reported to be associated with a higher risk of oral cancer. Cigarette use, alcohol intake, and poor oral hygiene are the culprits in bad teeth condition.”
Your teeth's enamel is more likely to discolour and thin over time if you smoke or use chewing tobacco products. Nicotine and tobacco are both exposed to your teeth when you smoke. As a result, it's likely that you'll have stained, yellow teeth and unpleasant breath. This can also lead to tooth loss.
Pain while opening your mouth:
This is another symptom of oral cancer. Mouth cancer can make chewing and swallowing food painful or give you a burning sensation. Oral lumps that are persistent and unexplained do not go away. Neck lymph nodes that have chronic, inexplicable tumors that do not go away can also signal oral cancer.
If you do notice any of these symptoms, approach your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
How to diagnose oral cancer:
Dr. Goel says, “For diagnosis, we do a biopsy and imaging (CT scan/MRI scan) to determine the extent of cancer. The kind, location, and stage of cancer at diagnosis will all affect how oral cancer is treated. One may have just one type of treatment, or one may undergo a combination of cancer treatments (Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) depending on the stage.”
The takeaway:
As Treatment is very painful, costly, and has no guarantee of cure, we have to think about how we can prevent this epidemic of oral cancers. To deal with this "Silent Killer" The best way is to avoid the use of tobacco in any form. Without tobacco, we live longer, experience better health, have more energy, and have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other ailments. Quit now as prevention is better than cure.
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