A healthy mouth is about more than just teeth, gums, brushing, and flossing. Changes in your mouth could be a sign of a serious disease. Mouth cancer is not often identified until it is advanced. By then treatment is less effective. This is why it is important to know the risks, symptoms and ways to prevent mouth cancer.
Risk factors
- Tobacco products: Smoking or using tobacco products increases the risk, especially if combined with high alcohol consumption. This includes smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, betel quid, paan and areca nut.
- Alcohol: High consumption of alcohol, especially if combined with smoking, increases the risk of developing oral cancer.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): There is increasingly more research emerging that is connecting HPV infection, especially HPV-16, with oral cancers.
- Age: People over the age of 40 have a higher risk.
- Gender: Men are more susceptible than women are.
- Sun exposure: Increases risk of developing lip cancer.
|
Symptoms |
|
|
How to stay healthy |
|
|
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) |
|
HPV is a common virus. It affects skin and mucus membranes. HPV spreads by direct contact. In the past, mouth cancer was seen mostly in older males who used tobacco and alcohol. Recent studies show that HPV is linked to cancer in the mouth of younger people with clean mouths. They often have no history of tobacco or alcohol use. HPV-related mouth cancer grows in the back of the mouth and throat. It may not be visible, or it might appear as a lump on the throat. HPV vaccines are available for men and women. For the vaccine, visit your doctor or local sexual health clinic. |
|
Mouth cancer facts |
|
Contact Us
