5 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer

Oral and oropharyngeal cancer affects the mouth and the middle throat (oropharynx). Early signs can be subtle, so knowing what to look for and taking action quickly can make a real difference.

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer that begins inside your mouth, while oropharyngeal cancer occurs just behind the mouth in the middle throat area.

These cancers typically start in the surface lining cells (squamous cells) inside your mouth or throat. Early changes might look like a sore that doesn't heal, a lump, or a red or white spot in the mouth.

While anyone can develop oral cancer, your risk does increase as you get older.

Where Oral Cancer Can Appear

Oral cancer can develop in several areas within and around the mouth. Common sites include the lips and gums, the floor of the mouth, and the area beneath the tongue. 

Cancer may also form on the front part of the roof of your mouth or the area behind your wisdom teeth (retromolar area).

5 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer

1. Live a tobacco-free life: Tobacco, including cigarettes, vaping, or smokeless forms, contains chemicals known to increase cancer risk. Quitting tobacco at any stage of life will significantly reduce this risk.
2. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Long-term heavy drinking weakens your body's defenses and makes cancer more likely. Cutting back or avoiding alcohol entirely is a positive step.
3. Ensure protection from HPV: Oral HPV spreads mainly through oral sex, so practicing safe sex can lower your chances of getting infected. Vaccination is also effective, but only prevents new infections—it won't treat existing conditions.
4. Protect lips from sun exposure: Lips have very sensitive skin that can easily be damaged by sunlight. Regularly using lip balm with a high sun protection factor (SPF) protects this area from harmful UV rays.
5. Schedule regular dental checkups: Regular visits to the dentist ensure good oral health and can help spot early signs of cancer. However, remember that a single screening alone doesn't guarantee prevention, so it's important to maintain consistent checkups.

What are the Signs of Oral Cancer

Common oral cancer symptoms include:

• A sore or pain in your mouth that doesn’t heal
• A lump or thickened area inside your mouth
• A red or white patch that won't go away
• Persistent numbness of your tongue or swelling in your jaw

If you notice any of these symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, it's time to consult a health professional.

Treatments for Oral Cancer

Your doctor selects treatment based on the type, location, stage of your cancer, and your overall health. Early-stage oral cancers may often be treated successfully with surgery alone.

More advanced cancers, on the other hand, typically require multiple treatments. This can mean surgery combined with radiation or chemotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery involves removing the main tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue, and sometimes lymph nodes.

If cancer has spread, procedures such as glossectomy (partial or full removal of the tongue), sentinel lymph node biopsy, or neck dissection might be necessary.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses a medical linear accelerator (radiation machine) to direct high-energy beams precisely toward the cancerous area. Radiation may be given alone or combined with chemotherapy, especially in advanced cases.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves medicines designed to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. Typically, chemotherapy is given as outpatient care, though occasionally patients may require brief hospitalization depending on their treatment plan.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses special drugs that specifically interfere with cancer cells' growth signals. These therapies can be used alone or alongside other treatments, depending on your cancer's characteristics.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a biological therapy that helps your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Your specific immunotherapy schedule will be part of your overall care plan; details vary depending on your needs.

Oral Cancer Recovery and Follow-Up

Your recovery experience can vary depending on the type of treatment you receive and your overall health. If surgery is extensive, such as for larger tumors, you may initially find speaking, chewing, or swallowing challenging.

Following your care team's advice and keeping regular follow-up appointments will help your recovery go as smoothly as possible.

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with oral cancer and is looking for treatment options in Florida, medical oncologists at ACTC can help. It is our top priority to ensure our patients receive the best possible treatment.

We ensure that you receive support and care throughout your treatment and recovery period. Call 352-345-4565 or book an appointment.