What is oral cancer

Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth and throat area, and it is a serious health concern that affects many people around the world.

One of the highest oral cancer incidences is found in India, with India contributing approximately 30% of all new cases globally and accounting for one-third of the global burden of oral cancers. Oral cancer is the most common cancer among Indian males and third most common cancer in Indian women and leads to 22.9% of all cancer-related deaths in India.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016-17), the percentage of adults who were current smokeless tobacco users in India was 21.4% with a 29.6% prevalence in males and 12.8% prevalence in females. In a study by Sinha et al., it was found that 33.5% of Indian smokeless tobacco users had no formal education. Two other studies conducted in India reported a significantly higher smokeless tobacco use in populations from lower socio-economic strata.

Risk Factors

• The use of tobacco and/or arecanut in any form is one of the main risk factors of oral cancer. Smokeless tobacco is commonly used in India and South East Regions in various forms, often combined with other substances. It is more prevalent in rural areas than urban areas and locally made products can make it difficult to investigate use. Betel quid has historically been believed to have medicinal benefits and chewing «paan» is still commonly believed to aid digestion by a large portion of the population.
• Excessive use of alcohol is also a risk factor, especially when combined with tobacco use.
• Persistent injury from a sharp or broken tooth or artificial dentures can also increase the risk of oral cancer.
• Poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing or flossing regularly, can also contribute to the development of oral cancer.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms of oral cancer that you should be aware of, they include:

• Persistent, white, red or mixed patch in the mouth which cannot be scrapped off
• Ulcer or growth which increases in size
• Progressive pain/bleeding from the mouth
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing or speech
• Swelling of gums/loosening of tooth
• Difficulty in opening mouth and protruding tongue
• Swelling in the neck

Prevention and Early Detection

The good news is that there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of oral cancer.

First and foremost, avoid tobacco and alcohol use, and maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. You can also reduce your risk by eating a food of the non-irritating temperature and of the less inflammation provocative content — less spicy and less acidic.

Early detection is key to successful treatment of oral cancer, so it is important to be aware of the symptoms and to have regular oral visual examinations by a healthcare provider.

You can also perform a mouth self-examination by using a mirror to check the inside of your mouth for any abnormal patches, ulcers, or growths.

Improving cancer screening services and reducing inappropriate testing requires changing community behavior and making screening services available in a timely manner. It also involves training health care providers to screen for common cancers, developing a good referral network for patients who screen positive, and empowering them to provide education on overall oral health. An oral health screening program can provide an opportunity for oral health professionals to screen for various conditions and promote regular dental visits for ongoing care.