With September 16th 2019 being Oral Cancer Awareness Day, it is an opportune time to re-educate ourselves on the signs and symptoms of the disease and how to avoid it.
Oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth, lips, tongue, palate. 700 cases of cancer of the mouth (oral cavity and pharynx) are reported in Ireland every year.
Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer amongst men.
Survival rates are low with an average of less than 50% survival rate at 5 years due to delayed diagnoses mainly. If the cancer is caught in stage 1 or stage 2, survival rates are estimated at 80% at 3 years.
Currently, oral cancer is a bigger killer in Ireland than cervical or skin melamona.
Early diagnoses and treatment is key to better survival rates! See your dentist regularly, especially if you notice anything abnormal in your mouth e.g. a non healing ulcer or induration. Eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Wear plenty of suncream on your face and UV protection for your lips when exposed to the sun. Avoid the risk factors of oral cancer which include.....
* Smoking tobacco – cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars, pipes or cannabis.
*Excessive alcohol consumption
*Using tobacco and alcohol together - this greatly increases your risk.
*Excessive exposure to sunlight or radiation (for lip cancer)
*Chewing tobacco, betel nut, gutkha and paan.
*A diet lacking in fruit and vegetables.
*Viral infections, e.g., human papillomavirus (HPV).
For more information see ; www.cancer.ie
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