Mouth Cancer in Wimbledon

Mouth cancer, also called oral cancer, is a disease that takes place when there are uncontrolled cells in your body which can cause damage to the surrounding tissues. It usually happens after the age of 40 and the risk is twice as high in men as it is in women. It can occur on the:

What causes mouth cancer?

• Taking tobacco or smoking

• Drinking too much of alcohol

• Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV)

• Sun exposure to the lips

• Sexually transmitted virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Weak immune system

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer

• Sore, lump, thick patch or irritation in the lips, mouth or throat

• Red or white patch in your mouth

• Feeling of something being struck in the throat

• Difficulty in moving your tongue or jaw

• Numbness in tongue or other areas of your mouth

• Swelling of jaws that do not fit dentures properly

• Pain in one ear without the problem of hearing loss

How you can treat mouth cancer

There are three treatment options for mouth cancer:

• Surgery – The cancerous cells are removed surgically with surrounding cells or tissues that ensure cancer is removed completely.

• Radiotherapy – High-energy X-rays help in destroying cancerous cells.

• Chemotherapy – Powerful medications are used to kill cancerous cells.

These treatments can be performed by combining one with the other. For example, surgery may be followed by radiotherapy that helps to prevent cancer. If you want to treat cancer, the treatment will mainly focus on different functions of your mouth like eating, speaking and breathing.

How to prevent mouth cancer

• Say no to tobacco products and cigarettes

• Take fruits and vegetables in your diet

• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun for your lips

• Visit your dentist for routine checkups