Mouth cancer incidence is always related to age…in the UK 44% of all mouth cancers are diagnosed in people aged 65 years and older with as much as 25% in people 55 years and younger, with men being twice as more susceptible than women.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood, in order of relevance are:
– Smoking:
Considered to be the leading cause! Tabacco use transforms saliva into a deadly cocktail that damages the cells it the mouth triggering the abnormal healing/repair cancerous cycles. Two thirds of smokers talk about quitting, and only a quarter of these successful quit on the second or third attempt. For more information please contact – http://www.freshne.com/Campaigns/stoptober or www.thecourtyardclinicl.com
– Alcohol:
Alcohol aids in the absorption of the tobacco so those who smoke and drink are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer. Alcohol also delays general healing in the body, which promotes the abnormal growth of cancer cells.
Drinking in excess alone can increase the risk of Moth cancer by 4 times.
– Human Papilloma Virus (HPV):
HPV is transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, and is now rivalling the tobacco risk in the younger generations according to experts. Research shows this to be one of the leading causes in the next 10 years.
– Poor Diet:
It is recommended that people eat a balanced diet with 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day to consume natural vitamins, irons and antioxides. Evidence suggests that Omega 3-found in foods such as eggs and fish can help lower the risk so do foods high in natural fibres such as nuts seeds, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice.
– Socioeconomic status:
Research has shown that people with low socioeconomic status present later for diagnosis and so are have more advanced cancers at diagnosis, thus receive less aggressive treatment, thereby having a higher risk of dying.
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