Cancer is obviously a terrible thing. Nowadays, doctors urge men and women to check for signs and symptoms of cancer. But cancer awareness isn’t even across the board. There are many cancers that are given less prominence from the media and even medical community. A major form that’s overlooked is one that’s very close to our hearts: oral cancer.
Signs of Oral Cancer
We’ve compiled a list for you of some key early signs of oral cancer. While we’re not trying to scare you into becoming an obsessive hypochondriac, we do want everyone to become more aware of oral cancer and signs of its potential development.
- Swellings, lumps or rough spots in your mouth, neck or jaw that do not vanish even after 3 weeks. These can be some of the first signs that you could be developing mouth cancer.
- Tobacco use is a major risk factor in increasing your chances of oral cancer.
- Loss of feeling or pain in areas like your mouth, neck, face and ear are other markers that oral cancer could be developing.
- Experiencing difficulty in chewing and swallowing, moving the jaw or tongue and speaking are common early signs of oral cancer. If this occurs, it’s essential you take action and get yourself checked out by a doctor.
- Ulcers or red or white patches that have a velvety texture (velvet sounds nice, but not in this context) are one of the first signs that appear. If the patches do not heal in 3 weeks, there’s a good chance that oral cancer is starting to develop.
- Sores in the mouth, neck and face that bleed continually and don’t heal within 2 weeks must be checked out by a doctor since they are also symptoms of oral cancer. Another symptom of oral cancer is constant bleeding in your mouth that cannot be explained.
- There are studies which indicate a diet low in fruits and vegetables could be a risk factor, and that conversely, one high in these foods may have a protective value against many types of cancer
- Oral cancer patients also tend to experience chronic sore throat in the early stages. The sore throat can also be accompanied by a lump in your throat. We are aware, of course, that many illnesses cause a sore throat, but if its seemingly unending, you should call on a doctor. Once this symptom shows up, it is best to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Oral cancer—indeed, any cancer—is not something to take lightly. The problem at the moment, however, is the lack of awareness. These signs and symptoms are vague, but they can be real indicators of future trouble. That being said, don’t get alarmed! The last thing we want is for you to waste your whole day checking for these signs. But, we do want all people to raise their awareness of oral cancer so it can be beaten before it takes hold.
