Oral Cancer - Tobacco

Oral cancer is a disease that starts as an uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth.it leads to disfigurement of the face , debility of the body and eventually death.

FEW TYPES OF ORAL CANCER Oral cancer is the most common of cancers found as many as 65,000 cases are reported each year. It is estimated that about 7% of all cancer deaths in males and 4% in females have been reported are due to oral cancer. The figure is rising rapidly because of bad oral habits such as chewing of gutka,supari, (betelnut) tobacco, and smoking. Ameloblastoma Of Mandible

EARLY WARNING SIGNS Awhite or red patch in the mouth or on the tongue a painless ulcer which doesn't heal for over two weeks, difficulty in eating,drinking and speaking are some of the early signs of oral cancer on appearance of any of these symptoms you must consult your dentist immediately.

HOW TO EXAMINE YOURSELF Early and self examination can certainly help in early detection of cancer and hence increasing the chances of complete cure. Self viewing infront of a mirror in goodlight Open your mouth wide and see for small lumps or swelling, ulcers,a red or a white patch. If you wear dentures then remove them before you insepct your mouth. Inspect your lips with your mouth open and closed. Stick your tongue out and inspect the margins as well as below the tongue. Anything seen unexplained should warn you to consult your dentist immediately. Dentists are trained to recognize the clinical symptoms of oral cancer, Common early clinical indicators are: Leukoplakia It is a raised white patch which is associated with the constant chewing of gutka/tobacco/betelnut. About 3% of oral leukoplakia results in cancerous growths. Oral Submucous Fibrosis In this the opening of the mouth is restricted and or a burning sensation which affects around 9 per 10,000 indians. Lichenplanus It is the skin affliction occuring in the mouth. It can be caused due to the diabetes and stress. Anaemia Iron deficiency is very common in india this can also lead to the devlopment of oral cancer.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How can oral be cured? If detected early , oral cancer is curable. Thr smaller the ulcer or affliction, the better the chances of cure. Treatment It is done by: Surgical removable of affected part Chemotherapy Radiotherapy Brakitherapy Combined radiation and surgery How to avoid oral cancer? Avoid bad oral habits such as tobacco and gutka chewing,and smoking. Eat a diet rich in fiber,fish and dairy products like butter milk,fresh fruits and vegetables. Visit your dentist twice a year. Brush twice a day and maintain good oral hygiene.

T O B A C C O Chewing tobacco includes snuff, a finely ground version of processed tobacco, and chewing tobacco in the form of shredded or pressed bricks and cakes, called plugs, or rope-like strands called twists. Users "pinch" or "dip" tobacco and place a wad in their cheek or between their lower lip and gums. In India it comes with 'katha' -lime.People use toothpastes and powders containing tobacco to clean their teeth. SMOKING VS TOBACCO Some wrongly believe that chewing tobacco is safer than smoking cigarettes. But chewing tobacco is more addictive because it contains higher levels of addictive nicotine than cigarettes and can be harder to quit than cigarettes. One can of snuff delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. About 8,000 people die every year from tobacco use. About 70 percent of those deaths are from oral cancer. Other cancers caused by tobacco include cancer of the pancreas, nasal cavity, urinary tract, oesophagus, pharynx, larynx, intestines and the stomach. Kids who use spit tobacco products are 4 to 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users and tobacco juice-related cancers can form within five year of regular use. With the increasing use of GUTKA chewing, situation is very bad, the dental associations are trying hard to convince the government to impose a ban on manufacturing of GUTKA and using tobacco in toothpastes and tooth powders. EFFECT OF TOBACCO CHEWING It causes bad breath, discolours teeth and promotes tooth decay that leads to tooth loss. Chewing tobacco users have a decreased sense of smell and taste, and they are at greater risk of developing cavities. The grit in snuff eats away at gums, exposing tooth roots which are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and can be painful. Sugar in chewing tobacco causes decay. Chewing tobacco users also have a hard time getting their teeth clean.Tobacco chewers normally suffer from severe attrition of teeth. MOUTH ULCERS The commonest sign of cancer in tobacco chewers is leukoplakia, a white patch or lesion inside the mouth or lips, . Red sores are also a warning sign of cancer. Often, signs of precancerous lesions are undetectable. Dentists can diagnose and treat such cases before the condition develops into oral cancer. If a white or red sore appears and doesn't heal, see your dentist immediately for a test to see if it's precancerous. Studies have found that 60 to 78 percent of chewing tobacco users have oral lesions. Those who mix snuff and chewing tobacco, are more likely to develop precancerous lesions than those who use only one type of chewing tobacco. Long-term snuff users have a 50 percent greater risk of developing oral cancer than non-users, and chewing tobacco users are more likely to become cigarette smokers. HOW TO GIVE UP THE HABIT? Your dentist may prescribe a variety of nicotine replacement therapies, such as the transdermal nicotine patch or chewing gum that helps to give up this habit. Nicotine Patches are worn for 24 hours over several weeks, supplying a steady flow of nicotine. The four brands of patches are Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicotrol and Prostep. Over the course of treatment the amount of nicotine in the patch decreases. The nicotine patch has a 25 percent success rate. Or you may try nicotine gum therapy on your quit day. One piece of gum is slowly chewed every 1-2 hours. Each piece should be discarded after 20-30 minutes but they are not easily available in India. MAKE A STRONG DETERMINATION TO GIVE UP THE HABIT OF SMOKING,AND TOBACCO CHEWING......ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND"THE MORE YOU CHEW TOBACCO OR GUTKA THE MORE YOU'LL BE CHEWED IN LATER YEARS".