There are many forms of cancer that we as humans are susceptible too, and it is true that mouth or oral cancer is among the most successful when it comes to treatment. However, more people die due to mouth cancer than do with the likes of breast cancer or cervical cancer, for example, and this is largely due to it not being detected early enough. You may not notice the tumour unless you examine your mouth regularly, or have it examined by a professional, and it can progress very quickly if left untended.
We will try and give you the best advice we can when it comes to mouth cancer detection as there are certain symptoms that can be quite recognisable. It is vital you check regularly in order that you can have a diagnosis as early as possible. Let’s move on and talk about how to spot the symptoms of mouth cancer at an early stage.
What to Look For
The areas you need to examine are your mouth in general, your tongue, the inside of your cheeks, lips and the roof of your mouth. You are looking for – primarily – any unusual coloured patches that stand out from the rest of their surroundings. The patches could be white, dark or red, and will usually be quite pronounced. You should also check for any obvious protrusions where there should be none, as this is another indicator of mouth cancer.
Be sure to lift your tongue high so that you can examine underneath, and carefully examine your cheeks as this is a common place for mouth cancer to begin. If you squeeze your cheeks you should be able to uncover any bumps or other notable swelling, which can also be a sign of cancer. One other area to check is your neck; run your hands across your neck in all areas looking for any swelling or raised areas.
If you believe you might be suffering from the early stages of mouth cancer it is imperative that you visit a doctor straight away. They will be able to use their professional expertise to diagnose your cancer correctly and get you the help you need as soon as possible.
Preventing Oral Cancer
The chances of contracting many types of cancer can be vastly reduced by means of healthy living and eating. For example, tobacco use has been shown to cause mouth cancer as has excessive intake of alcohol, while regular exercise works against cancers as does healthy eating of a regular diet and keeping your weight at the right level. Even if you adhere to these rules, however, there is still a chance of mouth cancer developing, so performing your own home inspections as described above and a regular trip to your doctor for an examination is highly recommended.
Mouth cancer can be treated if caught early enough, so make sure you keep a close eye on what is going on in your mouth so you can be ready of the symptoms occur.