The sheer mention of the word cancer can have people quaking for fear that they succumb to this deadly disease and although as a smoker, you may share the same fears, your addiction towards nicotine can make it very difficult to give up even if faced with the threat of contracting this dreadful condition.
Oral cancer, or mouth cancer as it is also known, may not be one of the most well-known or talked about cancers, but it is a very real risk to those who smoke. It usually develops on the tongue, gums or lip but it can also occur on your saliva glands, your pharynx and also your tonsils.
It may be uncommon but it is most definitely not rare and percentages of those who have contracted the disease have escalated by approximately 20% within the last three decades.
It will be no surprise to hear that smoking increases the risks of contracting oral cancer significantly as does consuming excessive amounts of alcohol so if you drink and smoke, then you’re increasing your risks yet again. Men seem to be more at risk of developing oral cancer than women and this may be because men could misuse alcohol more than women but this cancer can start to develop in those aged over 40 years of age and with a significant increase from the age of 60.
Worried about contracting mouth cancer? It is worth checking any of the following three symptoms and seeking medical advice:
- Have you had a mouth ulcer that has refused to heal?
- Are there any red and white, or just red patches on your tongue or lining of your mouth?
- Do you have any swelling in your mouth that has lasted for some weeks?
.As with any type of cancer, early diagnosis is vital and the outlook can be fairly good. Using treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, often 70% of people will have an extended five years after their diagnosis and some will live for longer still. But surely it makes sense to cut down your smoking significantly or better still, to give it up altogether?
There are so many aides such as e-cigarettes to help support your fight against addiction and your Doctor can offer you a great deal of advice too. If you can enlist the support of family and friends too, then you stand a greater chance of kicking the habit into touch.
There are things that you can do to improve your health and once you have your addiction under control, try introducing a Mediterranean diet which has a lot of vegetables and in particular tomatoes, olive oil, fruits and fish. Eating the recommended 5 a day can help to prevent mouth cancer as they contain cancer fighting chemicals such as antioxidants. It is believed that these antioxidants can prevent a cell from becoming damaged and therefore, is less likely to turn cancerous. Of course, to be healthy and to stay healthy, you need to take the holistic approach and this doesn’t mean continuing to smoke whilst just trying to eat cancer combating foods.
Unfortunately many people who have mouth cancer, have shown little or no early indicators at all, but it is certainly worth doing regular self-checks and seeking further advice if you experience any of the following:
- Bad breath
- Pain or soreness
- Teeth start to feel loose
- Bleeding in the mouth
The most important part of fighting oral cancer is to not contract it at all. It’s worth having a good look at your life and consider whether you want to be healthy and to keep on living or to die much younger than you need to. Take some control back for your life and re-invent yourself. You are never too old to change your negative habits for good ones and to start living a healthier, more holistic life. Reach out for any help and support that is available and never give up. It might be difficult in the first few weeks but remember that you are breaking a chain of habit that may have been established for years.
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