Mouth Cancer

Sometimes referred to as oral cancer, mouth cancer occurs when cells in the mouth grow abnormally or out of control. Over 700 cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed each year in Ireland, and it’s the sixth most common type of cancer in men worldwide.

As with many forms of cancer, the key to effective treatment of mouth cancer is early diagnosis. As such, it’s important to be familiar with the symptoms and to get them checked by a dentist or doctor as soon as they arise.

Mouth Cancer Facts

Mouth cancer can form anywhere in the mouth. This includes the inside of the lips and cheek lining, the floor of the mouth and the underside and edges of the tongue, and the gums – including the triangle-shaped area of gum behind your back teeth.

The majority (around 90%) of mouth cancers are squamous cell carcinomas – this means they grow in the flat, skin-like cells in the lining of the mouth.

Rarer types of mouth cancer include the following:

• Lymphoma, which forms in the lymph tissue near your tonsils and the base of your tongue
• Melanoma, which can start in the skin pigment cells in and around the mouth
• Salivary gland cancer.

Mouth Cancer Symptoms

It’s possible many of the earliest symptoms of mouth cancer may not be detected. However, as the cancer progresses, you might develop symptoms which can be noticed and should be looked into. While these symptoms may not mean you have mouth cancer, having one or more of the following symptoms requires the attention of a medical professional.

• A persistent lump in the mouth or lip that doesn’t go away on its own after a few weeks
• Ulcers in the mouth that don’t heal
• Swollen lymph nodes or lumps in the neck
• Persistent sore throat that doesn’t seem to be improving
• Pain or difficulty when chewing or swallowing, or difficulty in moving the jaw
• Unexpected and unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Red and white (or just red) patches in the mouth
• Numbness in one or both lips, or other areas of the mouth
• Dentures that no longer fit correctly, or loose teeth
• Speech difficulties, such as slurring your words or having a hoarse or quieter voice
• Ear pain, which is caused by nerve damage near your tongue
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosing Mouth Cancer

Many cases of mouth cancer are spotted by dentists at routine check-ups. Should this happen, your dentist will advise on next steps to obtain a diagnosis.

If you visit your dentist to ask about symptoms of mouth cancer you may have noticed, you’ll be asked questions about your symptoms, when they first appeared, and your medical history. If they think your symptoms may have been caused by mouth cancer, they’ll refer you to a specialist who will take a tissue sample from the affected area for testing.

What are the Risk Factors?

The causes of mouth cancer aren’t always known. However, your risk of developing mouth cancer is increased if you:

• Smoke tobacco or marijuana
• Chew tobacco or similar substances such as paan
• Drink alcohol
• Have been exposed to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which has been linked to cancer forming in the throat and tonsils
• Have been overexposed to sunlight, which increases your risk of cancer in the lips

Preventing Mouth Cancer

Giving up smoking and reducing alcohol consumption are both central to the prevention of mouth cancer. In fact, it’s been estimated that 75% of oral cancers in Ireland could have been prevented by quitting tobacco smoking and adopting a sensible approach to alcohol.

• Other approaches to preventing mouth cancer include:
• Enjoying a healthy diet with at least five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables each day
• Frequently using a lip balm with SPF when going out in the sun
• Checking your mouth regularly for any changes, for example when brushing or flossing
• Following up any changes or symptoms with a visit to your dentist
• Visiting your dentist regularly

 
When detected early, oral cancer has a very good prognosis – there’s approximately a 90% five-year survival rate when detected in its early stages. However, in Ireland, there’s a lot of work to be done when it comes to raising awareness of mouth cancer and encouraging those with symptoms to get them checked. Around 60% of cases are diagnosed when already in the advanced stage, meaning we all have a responsibility to speak to a professional if we have any concerns.

Visiting the dentist regularly is an important for maintaining your overall health. If you don’t currently have a dentist or are looking for a new one, speak to your local Smiles practice today.