Article by Cancer Hospital India
India is called the capital of Oral Cancer in the world because of its highest incidence. Oral cancer ranks no. 1 among men and no. 3 among women in India. Unfortunately, even young adults are being diagnosed with the disease because more and more children are using pan masala / Gutka and other tobacco products. Inspite of the fact that oral cancers are completely preventable, the incidence is rising at an alarming speed. Oral cancers account for 40% of the cancer in men and include cancers of : -
• oral cavity i.e. tongue, gums, buccal mucosa (inner side of cheek) and palate• Pharynx (area behind the tonsils)
By Early detection and optimum treatment, it is possible to cure all the above cancers.
Causes / Risk Factors
Eighty-five percent of oral cancers are linked to tobacco use. People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk for developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone. The other risk factors are poor oral hygiene and Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. There are certain stages before development of frank cancer which present as White patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth, which do not get rubbed off or Red patches (Erythroplakia). There is a condition which is called submucous fibrosis (SMF) when person cannot fully open the mouth, whole of inner lining of cheek tissues turns white and hard due to effect of Gutkha. In this condition, person is very prone for development of cancer in future.
More than 5 million children in India are addicted to gutkha, a smokeless tobacco product that is a key driver behind the country’s soaring oral cancer rates. People who are at risk for oral cancers should get annual check ups and learn to reduce their risk. They should also discuss how often to have checkups.
Warning Signs
Oral cavity • Decrease in mouth opening or pain during opening of mouth.• Changes in colour – red, brown, white or black spots / patches in the mouth• Raised growth, swelling or lump• A sore or ulcer which does not heal • Bleeding• Tingling, burning or numbness in tongue or lip• Pain anywhere in the mouth• Painful, sensitive or loose teeth• Difficulty in swallowing or talking
High Risk Individuals
Who have consumed or consuming tobacco and tobacco products i.e. Gutka, Smoking etc.
Submucous Fibrosis – Inability to open the mouth fully Erythroplakia (Red Patches) Leukoplakia (White Patches)
Early Detection
The earlier cancer is detected there are very high chances of cure and complete recovery. It is important to realize that many cancers today are curable. High risk individuals should be examined 1st by trained surgical oncologist. Subsequent check up can be done, every 2 – 3 monthly or during annual check ups.Monthly self examination by each and every one of us will go a long way in detecting cancer at the early stage. One can stand in front of large mirror and look for the following : -• Mouth : Change in colour of gums, lips and cheeks, White, Brown or red patches, ulcer, sore or scab, thickening in any part of the oral cavity.• Neck : Look for any lump, swelling or any other abnormality.• If a person cannot open the mouth fully then endoscopic examination should be done.
If you find anything abnormal, record it on a notebook and report it to your doctor. In case everything is normal, RELAX!The advantage of early detection of cancer is that it can be cured by only surgery or radiotherapy resulting in good functional and cosmetic outcome with decreased cost.
Annual Health check upOral Cancers mouth examination is must for both the sexes. This is most important for all of us because it is through these annual check ups that we can find out about the status of our health. Annual Health check up should also include cancer check up which includes the following :For Females General Body Check up including Mouth Examination Dental Check up Breast Examination Pap smears Mammography Pelvic Examination Colon & Rectum Examination For Males General Body Check up including Mouth Examination Dental Check up Colon & Rectum Examination Testicles Examination Prostate Examination Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
How To Prevent Oral Cancers?
• Avoid Tobacco and Tobacco Products like gutkha, paan, khaini, surti, beedi, cigarette • Avoid Alcohol • Maintain Good oral and dental hygiene
All smokers and tobacco chewers need several counselling sessions to leave the habit and ensure they do not start taking tobacco, after quitting it, best helped by dedicated tobacco cessation clinics at specialised cancer hospitals.
Treatment
Depending on the type of cancer (diagnosis) and how far it has spread (staging) it is treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and often various combinations of these. It is therefore important that, if someone you know, develops a cancer, he / she should go to a comprehensive or dedicated cancer care superspeciality hospital with NABH ACCREDITATION, where a correct diagnosis, staging and planned treatment can be carried out along with good rehabilitation team including speech and swallowing therapist, physiotherapist and prosthodontics dental surgeon. Oral Cancer Cases which were being labelled as inoperable due to lack of surgical skills earlier are very much operable with good results.
How To Increase Chances Of Cancer Cure • Complete diagnostic check up to confirm or rule out cancer.• Staging work up to find out the stage of the disease.• Tumour Board evaluation by a group of cancer experts to plan the standard treatment as per National / International protocols.• Treatment of cancer at dedicated cancer centres specially NABH Accredited hospitals, where all modalities of diagnosis and treatment are available under one roof.• Faith in self, God and the treating team.• Positive attitude and the will to fight cancer.
Advantages Of Tumour Board Evaluations
• A panel of cancer experts i.e. Surgical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Gynae Oncologists, Paediatric Oncologists, Onco-pathologists, Radiologists and Imaging experts, get together to review and plan suitable modality or modalities of treatment. • Treatment is need driven and not doctor driven. • Patients get the choice of surgery or radiotherapy, if the results are same by both modalities. • Patients are saved from unnecessary surgeries, if the surgeries cannot be performed. • Patients get complete treatment. This prevents recurrence due to incomplete treatment. • Chances of cure / improvement in quality of life are much higher because of right and optimum treatment.• Patients are saved from Medical shopping and get expert opinion under one roof by spending one consultation fee only.
Advantages Of Getting Treatment At Nabh Accredited Cancer Hospital
• High end Technology and infrastructure• Highly trained team of oncologists• Very high standards of treatment• Patient safety and confidentiality• High Survival rates• Environment and legal compliances• Continuous surveillance of systems by Quality Council of India
To fight against this menace of oral cancer, we need to stop usage of tobacco, we need to be aware of warning signs / symptoms so that early detection is possible leading to cure than this disease. This can be achieved at cancer specialist NABH hospitals with high success.
About the Author
Author on various topics for Cancer, Radiation Oncology ,Allied Services, Healthcare, Hospitals and Health Subjects.For more information please visit Cancer Hospital India