Oral cancer is serious problem for Americans. About 36,000 will get diagnosed with the disease a year but only half will survive within five years of their diagnosis.
All cancers are cause for concern, but oral cancer is particularly serious. For your best chances at survival, it needs to be diagnosed and treated early on. If left untreated, oral cancer can be aggressive and spread to the lungs or lymph nodes.
Cancer is so dangerous because once it has spread it is much more difficult to treat and can even be fatal. It is a serious disease that can be hard to treat.
Unfortunately, oral cancer can be hard to detect. That’s what makes regular check ups so important. A check up every six months to a year is best. Cancer isn’t always symptomatic so some people never suspect they have it until it’s too late.
When symptoms do appear you should pay attention to them. The symptoms of oral cancer include, a lump on or near the mouth, bleeding sores on the mouth and difficulty chewing or swallowing. There may be tenderness or pain in the mouth or lips and changes or hoarseness in your voice.
Often those who come down with oral cancer have been smokers, heavy drinkers or chew tobacco. This is always the case, however.
For the best prevention, be sure to visit the dentist regularly and have an oral exam. This is especially important if you are older than 45. Your dentist is trained to see the warning signs. These visits can save your life.
Always stay away from tobacco products and limit your alcohol use, as well. A healthy diet and limiting exposure to the sun will all help you avoid getting oral cancer. It’s easier to take these precautions than to hope you find and treat the disease before it becomes fatal.
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