Mouth cancer, or oral cancer as it is also known, is the growth of sore patches in the mouth. These can grow on lips, tongue, palate, inside of the cheeks, gums, etc. Mouth cancer can be fatal, if is not diagnosed early and treated on time.

Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

• Unexplained bleeding in mouth
• Development of velvety red, white, or white & red speckled patches in the mouth.
• Soreness in the throat, making it difficult to swallow
• Hoarseness in voice and difficulty in speaking
• Swelling or formation of lumps in the mouth

Risk Factors of Mouth Cancer

It has been observed that men are more likely to be affected by mouth cancer than women. Furthermore, men above the age of 50 are at greatest risk. Risk factors of mouth cancer include:

• Smoking: People who smoke pipe, cigars, and/or cigarettes are six times more likely to be affected by mouth cancer.
• Tobacco: Consumption of tobacco in the form of snuff, dip, or even by chewing increases the risk of developing the mouth cancer by 50 times.
• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Binge-drinkers are six times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-drinkers.
• Family History: Mouth cancer is hereditary. If someone in the family has had mouth cancer, you are at risk of developing it as well
• Excessive exposure to the sun, especially at a younger age

Prevention of Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer can be prevented by:

• Not smoking, drinking and consuming alcohol.
• Have a diet rich in all essential nutrients
• Do not go out in the sun excessively. Repeated exposure to the sun increase the risk of cancer on the lip as well as on the skin. If your work requires you to be out in the sun all day long or most of it, apply UV-A/B sunscreen lotions on skin as well as lips.

Treatment of Mouth Cancer

Treatment of mouth cancer is available in several hospitals. It is treated same as the other cancers are: via chemotherapy, surgical removal of the growth, radiation therapy and other methods. If diagnosed at an early stage, then it is considerably easier to treat mouth cancer.