Who should be careful of oral cancer?

Oral cancer usually appears on the lips, tongue, inner cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, or floor of the mouth. It can occur at any age. However, it is more common in older people and those who use certain substances.

Common symptoms of oral cancer are mouth ulcers that do not heal, white or red patches on the oral mucosa or tongue, mouth pain, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of having a foreign object in the mouth. When the disease has progressed, the patient will lose weight for no apparent reason, have bad breath, and have a lump in the neck due to swollen lymph nodes, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Drinking a lot of alcohol is one of the major risk factors leading to oral cancer.

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The following groups need to pay attention to the warning signs of oral cancer.

Use tobacco

Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for oral cancer. Whether it is cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chewing tobacco, tobacco use significantly increases the risk of oral tissue mutations that lead to cancer. Research shows that tobacco users have a risk of oral cancer six times higher than non-smokers.

Cancer Research UK says cigarette smoke contains more than 70 cancer-causing chemicals that damage DNA, causing cells to mutate and develop into cancer.

Drink a lot of alcohol

Heavy alcohol consumption is another major risk factor for oral cancer. Alcohol irritates the lining of the mouth, making it easier for carcinogens to damage oral tissue. Therefore, combining alcohol with tobacco significantly increases the risk of oral cancer.

People infected with HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV), especially HPV type 16, is an increasingly common cause of nasopharyngeal cancer. The nasopharynx is the area at the back of the throat, at the base of the tongue and tonsils.

This cancer is usually found in young adults. Oral cancers caused by HPV tend to appear in places that are difficult to detect early, such as the base of the tongue or the back of the throat.

Too much sunlight

Frequent or excessive exposure to the sun, especially without lip protection, can increase the risk of lip cancer, especially of the lower lip. People who work outdoors, such as farmers or construction workers, are at higher risk. Using lip balm with SPF, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and limiting sun exposure can help reduce this risk.

Nutritional deficiencies

A diet low in fruits and vegetables contributes to oral cancer due to a lack of antioxidants and vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants from fresh plants help neutralize harmful free radicals, which damage cell DNA and lead to mutations. Therefore, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a simple and effective way to prevent oral cancer, according to Medical News Today .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-ai-nen-can-than-voi-ung-thu-mieng-185250830134843091.htm