Oral Cancer and Smoking When abnormal cells in the mouth grow out of control, it can create a tumor known as oral cancer. It affects the lower lip, tongue, and mouth floor.The most frequent type of mouth cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. The floor of the mouth and the tongue are the most common sites for oral cancer in men, whereas the tongue and gums are the most common sites for oral cancer in women. Oral cancer manifests as red or white patches inside the mouth that can eventually become sores. At Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we provide assistance to smokers who are suffering from oral cancer. How Can Smoking Develop the Chance of Oral Cancer?Tobacco smoke contains chemicals linked to cancer. They can either trigger cancer or make it worse if it already exists. Oral cancer can occur when cells in the mouth and throat undergo genetic changes brought on by these substances. These carcinogenic compounds are inhaled during frequent smoking sessions or come into direct contact with the mouth while chewing tobacco, both of which enhance the chance of developing oral cancer. Can Quitting Smoking Help Reduce Oral Cancer?If you are a smoker who has already been treated for oral cancer, quitting can reduce your risk of acquiring a second cancer in the mouth. It is the most effective way to prevent mouth cancer and other smoking-related disorders. It is well-established that tobacco use is a major contributor to the development of oral and other cancers. The following are components of any tobacco product, be it cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars, or chewing tobacco:
Certain malignancies are more likely to develop in people who regularly use each type of tobacco product. Smoking - Root Causes of Oral CancerCancer is the uncontrolled multiplication of faulty cells, which leads to tumors. Oral cancer is strongly linked to the toxins in cigarette smoke. Exposure to high levels of cigarette smoke over an extended time can cause aberrant mutations in the DNA of cells. It provides instructions for the growth, reproduction, and death of cells. When these instructions are corrupted, cells proliferate uncontrolled. Forms of Tobacco UseThe following are the common forms of tobacco use. CigarettesThere are more than 60 carcinogens in cigarettes. Oral cancer is 10 times more common in smokers than in nonsmokers. More than a dozen other cancers have been linked to cigarette smoking. Many deaths in the United States can be traced back to tobacco use. PipesIn most cases, people think smoking tobacco in a pipe or cigar is safer than using other methods. The truth is they are at higher risk for developing oral, laryngeal, esophageal, and lung cancers even when they do not inhale. A pipe smoker's lips are more likely to develop cancer at the point where the stem rests. Cigars are more hazardous since they take longer to burn and have more tobacco per unit volume than cigarettes. More than 6,000 compounds, at least 200 known to be hazardous to human health, are found in cigarette smoke. Tobacco smoke contains different carcinogens, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, that readily penetrate wet oral tissues upon inhalation. Squamous cells, seen on the lips, inside the mouth, and in the neck, are at the root of the vast majority of cases of oral cancer. If you notice symptoms of oral cancer, Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery's excellent team of dentists can help you diagnose the problem and come up with solutions. Call Surf City Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 657-384-2787 to schedule an appointment. |
