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Detecting Cancer of the Mouth

Friday, April 26, 2019 — updated on October 01, 2020 - 5 min read

Cancer of the mouth: Most people mistakenly think they have food allergies, common cold or dental problems. PHOTO | NMG

By DR MUKUHI NG’ANG’A

Cancer of the mouth can be devastating. Unfortunately, there is little awareness about this condition.

Most people mistakenly think they have food allergies, common cold or dental problems.

Use of tobacco products: Smoking cigarettes, pipes or cigars, chewing tobacco, and use of snuff significantly increases your risk of getting mouth cancer.
Smoking increases that risk by six times (as compared to the general population) whilst use of snuff and chewing tobacco increases your risk of getting oral cancer by 50 times.
Excessive consumption of alcohol: Mouth cancers are five times more common in heavy drinkers than in non-drinkers.
Infection: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection has been associated with increased risk of mouth cancers. HPV has also been associated with warts, cervical and anal cancer.
Family history of cancer: If you have an immediate relative with oral cancer, you have an increased chance of getting it as well.
Excessive sun exposure on the lips
However, not everyone who gets oral cancer smokes or drinks. Over 20 per cent of all newly diagnosed cases neither smoke nor drink.

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