Mr. Wang, who is regarding 50 years old, has the habit of eating betel nut on weekdays. Because his mouth is broken and it has not healed for more than a year, he did not take it seriously. It was not until the pain that he might not eat, and he was diagnosed with oral cancer. There are 5 major risk factors for cancer that should be paid attention to.
Li Rixiang, director of the Department of Oncology of the National Taiwan University Branch in Hsinchu, said that the International Cancer Research Center (IARC) has confirmed that betel nut can cause cancer. In addition to carcinogenicity, areca nut will act on the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system, causing the heart of betel nut chewers. Dependence is addictive, so the first bite of betel nut will make people fall in and chew more and more.
Betel nut not only damages teeth and periodontal lesions, but also increases the risk of cancer in the mouth and pharynx and interferes with fat and glucose metabolism, resulting in or worsening hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Li Rixiang pointed out that the treatment of oral cancer patients may not only lead to changes in appearance, but also affect the function of swallowing, chewing, and even expression. Patients often need a longer period of psychological construction to reintegrate into society. In addition, the treatment process is difficult, and it may be impossible to work and reduce economic income, which is easy to cause a burden on yourself and your family.
If the mouth is broken for more than two weeks, and the oral cavity is bleeding for unknown reasons, you should be alert!
Oral cancer, oropharyngeal cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer are the fourth most common malignant tumors in Taiwan. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, more than 8,000 people suffer from oral cancer every year, 90% of whom are males. Between 40-70 years old.
In addition, data from the National Health Service shows that you should be alert if there is an ulcer on the lips or mouth that lasts for more than two weeks, swelling, lumps, scaling or color changes in or around the mouth. Other symptoms of oral cancer include:
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Unexplained numbness, pain, or tenderness in or near the mouth
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Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
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Leukoplakia or erythema on the oral mucosa
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blocked tongue mobility
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Unexplained lump in the neck
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Trismus, difficulty opening mouth
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Difficulty or pain when swallowing or chewing
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Poorly secured or uncomfortable dentures due to swollen gums
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Tooth extraction wound that does not heal
And betel nut chewing, smoking, drinking, sun exposure, tooth decay or wearing improper dentures, long-term nutrition and poor oral hygiene are also risk factors for oral cancer. People who chew betel nut or smoke and aboriginal people over 18 years old to under 30 years old who chew betel nut (including those who have quit) will receive a free oral mucosal examination every 2 years, reminding eligible people that they can go to medical institutions for oral mucosal examinations. detection and early treatment.
Text/Photo by Li Zhihan/He Yiting
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