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What Is Oral Cancer?Oral cancer is known as is mouth cancer. Oral cancer is the malignant growth of cancerous cells in the oral cavity, or mouth. This malignant growth of cells begins in the squamous cells (flat cells) that make up the surface of the tongue, lip and mouth. These malignant cells tend to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) rapidly. Hence it is vital to note any suspicious change of appearances in the oral region and seek medical treatments. Doctors cannot always explain why one person develops oral cancer and another does not. However, we do know that this disease is not contagious. You cannot "catch" oral cancer from another person. Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop oral cancer. A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing a disease. The following are risk factors for oral cancer:
Tobacco use accounts for most oral cancers. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes; using chewing tobacco; and dipping snuff are all linked to oral cancer. The use of other tobacco products (such as bidis and kreteks) may also increase the risk of oral cancer. Heavy smokers who use tobacco for a long time are most at risk. The risk is even higher for tobacco users who drink alcohol heavily. In fact, three out of four oral cancers occur in people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both alcohol and tobacco.
People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop oral cancer than people who don't drink. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol that a person consumes. The risk increases even more if the person both drinks alcohol and uses tobacco. Cancer of the lip can be caused by exposure to the sun. Using a lotion or lip balm that has a sunscreen can reduce the risk. Wearing a hat with a brim can also block the sun's harmful rays. The risk of cancer of the lip increases if the person also smokes. People who have had head and neck cancer are at increased risk of developing another primary head and neck cancer. Smoking increases this risk. |
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Prepare by "Pei Gao Diu" group 2008