Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore that does not go away. Oral cancer â?? which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheek, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat) â?? can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

The term oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the pharynx, part of the throat. About two-thirds of oral cancers occur in the mouth and about one-third are found in the pharynx. Oral cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated 28,000 Americans this year and will cause approximately 7,000 deaths. It is the 6th most common cancer in men and the 14th most common cancer in women.

Each year, more than 30,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx are diagnosed and over 8,000 deaths due to oral cancer occur. The 5-year survival rate for these cancers is only about 50 percent. Mortality from oral cancer is nearly twice as high in some minorities (especially black males) as it is in whites. Methods used to treat oral cancers (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) are disfiguring and costly. Preventing high risk behaviors, that include cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, and excessive use of alcohol are critical in preventing oral cancers. Early detection is key to increasing the survival rate for these cancers.

Oral cancer can form in any part of the mouth or throat. Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and in the floor of the mouth. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Frequent sun exposure is also a risk for lip cancer. Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with 70-80% of oral cancer cases. Smoke and heat from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth. Use of chewing tobacco or snuff causes irritation from direct contact with the mucous membranes. Heavy alcohol use is another high-risk activity associated with oral cancer.

Oral cancer is as common as leukemia and kills more Americans each year than either skin or cervical cancer. Patients with oral cancer have a poor prognosis, and the 5-year survival rate of approximately 50% has remained unchanged for the past 50 years. Perhaps the single most important reason for this is the fact that oral cancers continue to be diagnosed in advanced stages. Research studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the survival rate for oral cancer patients increases dramatically when the diagnosis is established in early stages.

Oral cancer can spread quickly, early detection is important. An oral cancer exam can identify early signs of this disease. The exam is quick and painless, and can be done during your regular dental check-up. Be sure to tell your dentist if you notice persistent changes in your mouth or throat, such as sores, swelling, or numbness, or if you have difficulty eating or swallowing.

Approximately 35,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Some 25 percent of those people will die of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer occurs almost as frequently as leukemia and claims more lives than melanoma or cervical cancer. Oral cancerâ??s incidence is rising among women, young people and non-smokers.

Cancer prevention is not some kind of rocket science. It is easier than you may think. Cancer prevention involves changing habits, especially the bad ones. It means making significant lifestyle changes. Cancer prevention is an important and active area of public health research. Cancer Prevention and risk-reduction strategies can greatly lower the physical, emotional, and financial burden of cancer and improve the overall health of cancer survivors, including lowering the risk of the cancer coming back or the formation of a second cancer. Cancer prevention research in the Department of Foods and Nutrition has been ongoing from many years, however recently the strength of this area has grown.

Cancer

Cancer is not something that happens to someone else. Cancer is not something to pussyfoot around with. Cancer has been around as long as mankind, but only in the second half of the 20th century did the number of cancer cases explode. Cancer thrives on sugar and refined grains. Cancer grows rapidly where there is low oxygenation of cells. Observational evidence shows associations between alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and obesity and increased incidence of certain cancers. Remember, the more underlying conditions causing cancer that you correct, the better your chances of beating it.

Prevention

Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. Prevention means avoiding the risk factors and increasing the protective factors that can be controlled so that the chance of developing cancer decreases. Prevention of cancer is always better than spending lots for its curing.

Research

Researchers have found that carotenoids in dark green leafy vegetables are effective in inhibiting the formation of breast and skin cancer tumors, and preventing lung and stomach cancer. Research shows that you can greatly reduce your risk of developing cancer by not smoking/stopping smoking, being sun smart, eating healthy and being physically active Drinking less. Research suggests that up to 35 percent of cancers are related to poor diet. According to research, only 60 percent of women follow breast cancer screening guidelines, 30 percent of men and women follow colon cancer screening recommendations, and only 40 percent of men regularly get tested for prostate cancer.

Supplements

Supplements aid your body to make it more healthy and leave it up to the body to take care of the cancer. Supplements can make up for this by giving the body a consistent supply of essential compounds. Supplements While some supplements may help, nutrients from foods prove more effective. If a doctor is not tied in and blinded by the medical/drug industry, he or she finds that a comprehensive approach to fighting cancer using powerful supplements that deal with the many different issues in cancer, works much better than only using drugs and other treatments that harm the body. Not using natural supplements to fight cancer is like being in a life and death struggle, and choosing to fight with one hand tied behind your back.

Cancer prevention does not have to be a hard task. Cancer prevention is a lifelong plan including smart choices in our day to day lives. Cancer prevention is important to having a long and healthy life, and it is something not to take lightly. Cancer prevention and early detection begins with knowing your cancer risk; then, doing something about it. Cancer prevention is a life- long commitment to a long- life of healthy living and it’s never too late to start.