I took a class on the GI system update for my nursing credits and I thought I would share this. If you’ve never seen pictures of oral cancer, then let me tell you it’s nasty. These are the symptoms:
- a sore inside the mouth or on the lip that hasn’t healed within 14 days
- white or red patches in the mouth
- a lump or thickening in the mouth or on the lip
- problems chewing or swallowing
- trouble moving the jaw or tongue
- numbness inside the mouth
- loose teeth or dentures become uncomfortable or start to fit poorly
- change in quality of voice
- bleeding or pain in mouth or on lip
- swelling of jaw
- feeling as though something is caught in throat
Risk factors:
- Smokeless options such as chewing tobacco
- using tobacco products
- Frequent alcohol ingestion in combo with tobacco
- exposure to artificial sunlight over extended periods
- low intake of fruits and vegetables
- African Americans are affected twice as much as whites
- And those who have had oral cancer are at risk of developing a second cancer in the neck or head
Many dentists check for symptoms as part of their exam. If you have any suspicious areas get a physical exam without delay.
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