What can I do to prevent oral cancer?

Besides requesting an oral cancer screening at your dentist’s office, examine yourself when brushing and flossing. Look for abnormalities in the mouth, such as white patches and ulcers that don't heal.

Practice prevention by avoiding heavy alcohol and tobacco use and eat plenty of alkaline, antioxidant foods, like garlic and green vegetables.

 

 

 

Following many of the habits that promote overall health will also lower your risk for oral cancer, including:

• Don't smoke or chew tobacco. About 80% of people who develop oral cancer use tobacco, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The more you smoke or chew, the greater your risk for oral cancer.
• Don't abuse alcohol. According to ACS, 7 out of 10 people with oral cancer, or mouth cancer, are heavy drinkers. Limit yourself to one alcoholic beverage a day if you're a woman, and two if you're a man.
• Beware of the sun. Cancer of the lip is more common in people who spend a lot of time outdoors. Use lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Studies show that people who eat lots of produce seem to have a low risk for oral cancer.

The following can help reduce your risk of oral cancer:

- The best way to prevent oral cancer is to avoid tobacco and alcohol use.
- Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions.
- Many types of abnormal cells can develop in the oral cavity in the form of red or white spots. Some are harmless and benign, some are cancerous and others are pre-cancerous, meaning they can develop into cancer if not detected early and removed.
- Finding and removing epithelial dysplasias before they become cancer can be one of the most effective methods for reducing the incidence of cancer.
- Knowing the risk factors and seeing your dentist for oral cancer screenings can help prevent this deadly disease. Routine use of the Pap smear since 1955, for example, dramatically reduced the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer in the United States.
- Oral cancer is often preceded by the presence of clinically identifiable premalignant changes. These lesions may present as either white or red patches or spots. Identifying white and red spots that show dysplasia and removing them before they become cancer is an effective method for reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer.