Incidence of Oral Cancer: 4, 81,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually. In the United States alone, 34,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in 2007. In America, a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. Oral cancer is the most common cancer in India-accounting to 38% of the total cancers. In India, 70% of men and 20% of women use tobacco in one form or other. Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and floor of the mouth. Risk Factors: 1. Tobacco Use: Most common cause for oral cancer. Nicotine: It is the addictive substance found in Tobacco. Bidi smoking is more harmful than Cigarette smoking. Hookah is not safe because Carbon Monoxide is not absorbed in water. 2. Alcoholism: Smoking and Alcoholism accounts for 70% of oral cancer cases. 3. Sun Exposure: Lip cancer is mainly due to excessive sun exposure. 4. History of head and neck cancer 5. Chronic irritation due to poorly fitting dentures. 6. Human Papilloma virus infection Signs and Symptoms of Oral cancer: 1. White and Red patches in the mouth 2. Bleeding in mouth 3. Non-healing sore on the lip or mouth. 4. Difficulty in swallowing. Oral Cancer Treatment: Treatment depends on the patient age, spread of the disease and medical history. 1. Surgery 2. Chemotherapy – Fractional dose chemotherapy. 3. Radiation therapy – Intensity modulated radiation therapy. Oral cancer prevention: Tobacco in any form (smoking, chewing, and rubbing) should not be used. Betel leaf and nuts should not be used. Regular dental checkups are necessary. Remove ill fitted … [Read more...]
February 4: World Cancer Day
The International Union against Cancer (UICC) and its member’s organizations in over 80 countries are dedicating World Cancer Day 2007 to detect and prevent cancer in the adults by targeting children. More than 90 million people may die due to cancer in the next 10 years if necessary preventive measures are not taken. World cancer day is an annual event is being observed on February 4th every year. Theme for World cancer day 2007 is “Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s World”. It aims to spread awareness about problems due to changing dietary habits and a path breaking vaccine for cervical cancer. The annual World Cancer Day (WCD) on 4 February 2007 marks the anniversary of the first World Summit against Cancer held in Paris on 4 February 2000 where the Millennium Charter of Paris 2000 was launched. Cancer Statistics: Globally more than 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year and it is estimated that there will be 15 million new cases every year by 2020. Cancer causes more than 6 million deaths every year worldwide. Lung cancer and Breast cancer account for 1.3 and 0.5 million deaths respectively. Cancer is the second highest cause of death in children between the ages of 1-14 years. As per official statistics, more than 1, 60,000 children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. Fortunately, childhood cancers are twice curable than adult cancers. 25-40 age group accounts for 25% of all cancer patients. Solid organ tumors, which occur in this age group are usually genetic in nature and depending on the grade and behavior of the tumor it is observed that prognosis is poor. Stage-1 cancer in a 50-year old is 90% curable, but a similar cancer in a 30-year old is around 70% … [Read more...]
