The age old saying, prevention is better than cure holds very true for cancers. Awareness is an essential component of the prevention process. Oral cancers are deadly killers which collectively kill nearly one person every hour of every day of the year. In order to tackle this problem and create awareness, the month of April is observed as the World Oral Cancer Awareness month and 2018 marks the 15th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer also called oropharyngeal cancer or mouth cancer which can occur anywhere in the mouth, on the surface of the tongue, lips, inside the cheek, in the gums, in the roof and floor of the mouth, in the tonsils, and in the salivary glands.

Oral cancer collectively kills nearly one person every hour of every day of the year. Of the newly diagnosed patients, 40% will not survive longer than five years. Among those who survive, many suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking.

While early detection and treatment can reduce mortality and treatment-related health problems, these cancers are often diagnosed late in their development, owing to high death rate.

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

• Tobacco products including cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking, chewing tobacco, betel quid, gutkha and paan.
• Alcohol
• If alcohol and tobacco are consumed together, the risk is higher
• Over-exposure to sunlight
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) - HPV can be spread through oral sex, and experts suggest that HPV infection could soon rival smoking and drinking, as one of the main causes of mouth cancer.

Prevention

• Regular dentist visits
• Look out for any changes in your mouth, while brushing and report any red or white patches, or ulcers, that have not cleared up within three weeks.
• Apply sunscreen on your lips when exposed to the sun
• A diet rich in vitamins A, C and E, provides protection against the development of mouth cancer.
• Limit intake of tobacco and alcohol.

Just like the rest of our body, let's ensure that we take care of our mouth and prevent the oral cancers. Also, let's take the initiative to spread the information on oral cancers to friends and family and increase awareness about this silent killer.