Get Checked for Cancer if You See This on You Tongue

As shocking as it sounds, oral cavity cancers are among the top 15 frequent cancers all over the world. Educating ourselves with the common symptoms that may signal tongue cancer is extremely important.

The World Health Organization believes a person’s oral hygiene has to say a lot about their overall health. This is a call to everyone to go see your dentist if you experience a sore on your tongue that won’t go away. This is anything but normal!  

Usually, the typical cold sore or a bump is very uncomfortable, especially for people like me who love to eat now and then. I mean, it makes it so hard to simultaneously eat and maintain your oral hygiene with mouth ulcers.

But the good part is, they don’t stay for long and are not risky. That’s a sigh of relief, ha! But what’s alarming is that, this year, about 54k U.S residents will experience a lump, random spot, and sore that indicates tongue cancer as predicted by the American Cancer Society.

Our lack of knowledge about this disease is a big red flag for our lives. If it takes more than 2 weeks to heal, an appointment with your dentist is a must. This can be threatening if not diagnosed on time.

Other symptoms pointed out by Mayo Clinic are losing teeth, development of a lump and white/red patches in your mouth, difficulty swallowing, and unease in the ear.

There is a mighty chance that these symptoms may not always indicate tongue cancer but it’s always better to take the precautionary measure to eliminate any chance of growing oral cancer before it’s too late. It’s easier to treat when caught early.

Where Does It Come From?

Most people with tongue cancer have a history of consuming high levels of alcohol, tobacco divulgence, and unscreened exposure to the sun. Moreover, a sexually transmitted disease known as Human Papillomavirus can also elevate the risk. 

Over 20 years, the gradient of the rate of oropharyngeal cancer and oral cavity has been negatively accelerating, but in the meantime, reports have been made of the gradual increase in oropharyngeal cancer that is linked with a human papillomavirus virus in both genders, as voiced by (ACS).

CDC research claims that roughly 13 million Americans will be affected by HPV infection during their life.

In addition, men over 40 are more likely to get infected at an average age of 63. Women are twice less likely at risk of contracting it.

Lowering Your Risk 

There’s no sure way of avoiding oral cancer, but you can lower your chances by abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, especially as a mixture, eating healthy, and brushing twice a day.

Let’s make a promise to go for an oral cancer examination, and if possible, get a full course of HPV vaccine as a part of your routine dental exam.