Oral health for cancer prevention

Healthy begins in the mouth. This catchy slogan applies in particular to preventing cancer in the oral cavity, jaw and throat. In Germany, cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx are the seventh malignant tumour among men and the fifteenth among women.

Who is affected?

In Germany, around 7,600 men and 2,800 women are diagnosed with cancer of the floor of the mouth, palate, salivary glands and pharynx each year; People in their early 60s are most likely to be affected.

Almost three times as many men as women are also affected by the precancerous stages. Every cancer diagnosis hits the patient hard.

In the case of cancer of the oral cavity, a further complication is that a disease or operation on the face is immediately apparent to everyone and can have a very negative impact on self-esteem. In addition, being together with other people is stressful because critical social functions such as speaking, chewing, or swallowing are only possible to a limited extent.

 

causes and risks

Oral tumours are very often caused by smoking and alcohol. Very strong or filterless cigarettes, high-proof alcoholic beverages and, above all, the combination of smoking and alcohol are hazardous. Depending on the amount of tobacco and alcohol consumption, the risk of developing cancer increases at least up to 6 times compared to a person who does not smoke or drink alcohol.

Since the mid-1990s, the rate of new cases has been declining among men and has slowed down among women. Other important risk factors are unfavourable dietary habits, deficient consumption of fruit and vegetables (and thus too few antioxidants ) and poor oral hygiene.

For people who do not go to regular dental check-ups, the fact that the cancer is often discovered at a later stage makes it even more difficult. Chronic sores on the oral mucosa (e.g. due to the sharp tooth or prosthesis edges), chronic fungal diseases in the mouth (Candida albicans) and papillomaviruses can also contribute to oral cancer. People with diabetes suffer more often from – possibly cancer-causing – changes in the oral mucosa than healthy people.

Prevent cancer in the mouth, jaw and throat

Conversely, this makes it clear how this cancer can be effectively prevented: renouncing tobacco, infrequent and moderate alcohol consumption, and good oral and dental care (with thorough brushing of teeth twice a day and regular visits to the dentist) are good protection, supported by oral and dental care Healthy eating with plenty of fruit, vegetables, milk and whole grain products.

Use biannual visits to the dentist for early detection.

As with any cancer, early detection plays a unique role: the earlier a tumour is detected, the greater the chances of recovery.

Dentists, as oral health experts, play an important role here: At every six-monthly check-up, they should systematically examine the entire oral cavity, especially in the case of high-risk patients such as smokers. If you are unsure whether your dentist will also carry out this examination, you should speak to him at your next appointment and ask for it.

control of the oral cavity

In addition, everyone can contribute to early detection by regularly examining their oral cavity – in good light conditions. If you notice flat, whitish areas that also feel hard, this should be checked out by a doctor immediately.

This is because it can be the so-called leukoplakia, flat, non-wipeable changes in the mucous membrane which, as precancerous lesions (precancerous lesions), can turn into a malignant tumour of the mucous membrane ( squamous cell carcinoma ). Flat, reddish changes or sores in the mouth that have lasted for more than two weeks should also be examined by a doctor, dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon as soon as possible.

Checklist: early detection of oral cavity cancer

Symptoms of tumours in the oral cavity only appear at an advanced stage – so there are no “real” early symptoms. However, the following features can indicate a tumorous process in the mouth and throat area and require medical clarification in any case:

• Whitish, reddish or whitish-reddish patches that cannot be wiped off and are more challenging to the touch than the other lining of the mouth
• chronic mouth sores (lasting more than two weeks)
• easily bleeding wounds
• difficulties swallowing
• Speech impairment or pain when speaking
• A “lump” in the floor of the mouth or tongue
• difficulty breathing
• persistent bad breath