Health experts suggest ways for early detection of oral cancer

Oral cancer is a deadly disease that often goes undiagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. There are many risk factors like genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, but one very important cause of oral cancer is tobacco use, chewing tobacco and smoking in all forms, including reverse smoking.

There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes, and when burned, cigarettes produce more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 70 of these are known to cause damage to the cells in the mouth and throat, increasing the risk of developing cancer over time, while another cause behind this fatal cancer is excessive alcohol consumption that tends to irritate the tissues in the mouth and lead to abnormal changes in cell growth and ultimately one can get detected with oral cancer.

Poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing or flossing regularly can also raise the chances of suffering from oral cancer by allowing harmful bacteria to thrive in the mouth. Human papilloma virus is another risk factor and those with a family history of cancer and a weak immune system are at a greater risk.

These facts were shared by Prof. Tauqir Ul Islam, consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon and head of the Department at Liaquat National Hospital, at a public awareness seminar titled “Young Generation & Oral Cancer” held yesterday.

Prof. Tauqir Ul Islam mentioned some common symptoms of oral cancer, including persistent mouth sores, mouth or lip ulcers that do not heal, unexplained bleeding in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing or chewing, having a sore throat for a long time, hoarseness, numbness in the mouth or lips, and changes in your voice.

He highlighted some preventive measures for oral cancer i.e. stop using tobacco in any form, right away. Whether you chew raw tobacco or consume gutka, Paan Masala, all are leading causes of oral cancer in Pakistan.

Regular dental check-ups can allow for the detection of any unwanted changes in the mouth that may indicate the presence of oral cancer. By taking proactive steps to maintain oral health, individuals can increase their chances of detecting oral cancer early and improving their overall prognosis.

Perform a monthly visual inspection of your mouth to check for any persistent ulcers, bleeding areas, unusual patches, or swelling. These could indicate cancer, and catching it early will allow prompt treatment, he suggested

He said that in the last five years, he has seen around 500 cases related to oral cancer, and the youngest patient between 20-25 years old.

“The surgical goal for oral cancer is to histologically secure clear, tumor-free margins. A clear margin can be defined as a distance of 5mm or more from the resection margin to the tumor, and is essential to diminish the risk of locoregional recurrence. Oral & maxillofacial surgeons understand the anatomy, structure, and function of the oral cavity. Early-stage oral cancer can be adequately treated with wide excision without lip split or mandibulotomy, and an adequate tumor-free margin can be secured using an intraoral surgical approach.

“Understanding the oral cavity environment and accessibility of the intraoral approach is critical to less invasive and definitive treatment of oral cavity cancer through primary tumor resection and reconstruction,” said Prof. Tauqir Ul Islam while explaining the surgical aspect of oral cancer.

“Facial plastic surgery is performed to reshape structures in the head and neck typically the nose, ears, chin, cheekbones and neckline. People seeking this surgery may be motivated by a desire to reconstruct the face after oral cancer surgery on your lips, jaw, and elsewhere on your mouth can change the way you look. You may have reconstructive or plastic surgery to rebuild bones or tissues. In most cases, you won’t see big scars, and they usually fade over time. Camouflage makeup can cover skin grafts and scars,” said Dr Shahab Ghani, consultant plastic & reconstructive surgeon and assistant professor at the LNH.

Digital Marketing Expert Jawwad Ahmed Khan, in his address, said that every year, around 200,000 new cases of cancer are registered in Pakistan, and 35% are head & neck cancer notably squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of oral cavity. He added that for the last three decades, incidence of oral cancer has increased multifold in south Sindh especially in and around Karachi. He said that more and more public awareness programmes are crucial as treatment of oral cancer is so expensive, and the young generation should be targeted. He was of the view that TV channels could also play their role to raise awareness about oral cancer and tobacco usage in community.