Health professionals urge early detection of oral cancer, citing symptoms, risk factors, and treatment methods to curb its spread.
Tribune Online reports that oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, can appear harmless initially but may spread from the mouth to the throat and oropharynx if untreated. The disease often begins in the squamous cells of the oral cavity, which “become cancerous when their DNA changes and they grow uncontrollably.”
Key symptoms include chronic bad breath, mouth bleeding, persistent pain, weight loss, difficulty chewing or swallowing, sores on the lips or mouth, and earache. These signs are frequently mistaken for less serious issues, delaying diagnosis.
Experts warn that certain habits raise the risk. “Excess intake of alcohol, smoking, not protecting the lips, a family history of oral cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV)” are cited as major factors.
Treatment options include radiation therapy to kill or halt cancer cells, chemotherapy using anti-cancer drugs, and surgery to remove tumors or affected lymph nodes. Doctors emphasize that early detection and lifestyle changes significantly improve recovery outcomes.