Cinco cosas que debes saber sobre el cáncer bucal

April was Oral Cancer Awareness Month. En caso que te lo hayas perdido, Hemos recopilado información crucial sobre el cáncer oral que toda persona debería saber.. Cuanto más sepas sobre esto, Es más probable que lo contraiga en una etapa temprana, cuando es altamente tratable.. Desafortunadamente, if you don’t know what to look for and don’t see a dentist regularly, it can advance rapidly.

1. The Dangers of Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is any cancer affecting the gums, the interior of the cheeks, labios, or the back of the throat. Según la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer, sobre 54,500 people will develop new oral or mouth cancer in 2023. Nearly 12,000 people already diagnosed with it will die.

The most dangerous aspect of oral cancer is that it often goes unnoticed until it is advanced. Diagnosed and treated in the earliest stages, it is often curable. In more advanced cases, the survival rate drops to about 60% at five years. sin embargo, since most people do not look closely at the interior of their mouth, it is often missed. Early-stage oral cancer is usually pain-free, making it easier to ignore.

2. The Risk Factors for Oral CancerVector image for Oral cancer and related words and search terms

Some people are more likely to develop oral cancer than others, although anyone can get it. Men are more likely to develop mouth or throat cancers than women, but the reasons are not entirely understood. The odds of developing oral cancer increase for the following groups:

  • Smokers or users of smokeless tobacco
  • Alcoholics or heavy drinkers
  • Those over age 65
  • Individuals with poor dental hygiene
  • African Americans, particularly males
  • Individuals with HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
  • Fair-skinned people
  • Obese individuals
  • Those with immune system problems
  • Those with too much sun exposure (usually lip cancer)

3. The Warning Signs

To protect yourself against oral cancer, it is crucial to check your mouth, encías, lengua, mejillas, and tonsils for any symptoms. Como se mencionó anteriormente, do not ignore painless abnormalities, as there is no correlation between mouth cancers and pain until you are in the latest stages of the disease.

  • A sore in the mouth or on the lips that lasts longer than two weeks
  • A thickened area or lump
  • Patches of rough, bumpy skin on the gums, lengua, or the interior of the cheeks, usually red or white
  • Swollen cheeks or jaw
  • Difficulty chewing or opening and closing the mouth
  • Numb areas on the gums, lengua, or insides of the cheeks
  • Hoarseness or an urge to repeatedly clear your throat
  • Earaches not caused by other illnesses
  • Unexplained weight loss

4. How to Check Yourself for Oral Cancer

We suggest you check the interior of your mouth at least once a month for signs of oral cancer. Carefully examine the inside of the cheeks, on and under the tongue, and along the gums for any bumps or sores. After a visual check, carefully feel around the inside of your mouth, including under the tongue and the roof of the mouth. If you feel any abnormalities, contact your doctor or dentist for an evaluation.

5. Oral Cancer Screenings are Your Best Defense

Poor oral hygiene increases your chance of developing oral cancer. Healthy teeth, encías, and soft tissues are less likely to develop mouth cancer. Seeing your dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings reduces your risk of developing oral cancer.

Dentists and dental hygienists are far more likely to catch early-stage oral cancer than the patients themselves. Twice-yearly checkups dramatically improve the outcome for patients.

During the screening, your dentist will do a visual and tactile examination. If any possible signs are found you would be referred to an oral surgeon. Si es necesario, tissue may be biopsied or completely removed by Dr. Valiente, nuestro cirujano oral. This sample will be sent to the oral pathology laboratory for examination by a certified pathologist.

Oral cancer can be successfully treated with radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery, depending on the severity and how far the cancer has spread. If caught in the earliest stages, the survival rate doubles, with many people surviving without any recurrence. If this is the outcome you want, please see your dentist for an oral cancer screening today.