India has the second highest number of oral cancer cases in the world. Every year, 77,000 new cases are reported here, and 51,000 deaths result from oral cancer. Nearly 70% of all cases are reported in the advanced stages.
Due to the advanced stage, treatment becomes more difficult and the survival rates drop to 20%. This makes prevention and early detection of oral cancer very important for India.
This World Oral Health Day, we present 10 easy steps to prevent oral cancer and also to identify it in the early stages when treatment is likely to be much more successful.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to any cancer of the mouth. Some areas that could be the site of the cancer are:
- Lip
- Floor of the mouth
- Cheek lining
- Gingiva (the gums)
- Palate or in the anterior two thirds of tongue
How to Prevent Oral Cancer?
Here are ten practical things you can do to prevent oral cancer, starting today!
1. Do Not Chew Tobacco
The most important cause of oral cancer is also the most preventable cause — tobacco. Chewing tobacco can cause several types of cancer, including mouth, esophageal, nasal, and oropharyngeal cancers.
All forms of tobacco including gutka, zarda, khaini, and in leaf form are harmful. Apart from cancer, they cause several other diseases like stroke and heart diseases.
2. Do Not Chew Betel Nuts or Paan
Betel nut chewing is the leading cause of oral cavity cancer in India. Avoid chewing betel nuts in raw or processed (pan masala) forms.
Paan is a preparation made by betel leaves with areca nuts, with or without tobacco. It has been found to increase the risk for oral cancers.
Chewing paan also causes damage to the liver, stomach, kidney, and testis.
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking has been observed as a common lifestyle habit in up to 80 to 90% of all oral cancer patients.
Quitting smoking decreases the risk of oral cancer. The risk is reduced by up to 50% in people who quit smoking for more than 9 years.
If you are having trouble quitting, speak with a de-addiction therapist who will help you with practical tips and medication.
4. Avoid HPV Infections of the Mouth
Aside from lifestyle habits, sexual transmission is also a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer. Unprotected oral sex or exchange of reproductive fluids can lead to transmission of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which in turn can manifest as oral cancer.
HPV is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers. HPV-16 is the viral subtype responsible for most cases and affects men and women equally.
5. Clean Your Teeth and Between Your Teeth
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day. Flossing is essential to ensure that no food particles remain between the teeth.
An unclean oral cavity severely affects your immune system and inhibits your body’s ability to fight off potential cancers.
6. Visit a Dentist Regularly
It is recommended that you get a dentist to screen you for oral cancer every 6 months.
The early signs of mouth cancer are more likely to be noticed by a dentist during a regular visit — such as a small lesion inside the mouth, an ulcer on the tongue, or any abnormal growth.
Regular visits improve your chances of spotting cancer early, when treatment is easier, less expensive, and more successful.
This is particularly important for those who chew tobacco, pan, smoke, or consume alcohol regularly.
7. Perform a Self-Examination at Least Once Every Month
Just like breast self-exams, oral self-exams are a great way to spot threats early. Check the back and sides of your tongue thoroughly.
If you see or feel anything suspicious — such as lumps, bumps, tender areas, or red/white/grey patches — schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately.
8. Choose Foods That Prevent Cancer
A diet containing sufficient fresh vegetables and fruits can lower your risk of all types of cancers.
Eat beans, berries, leafy and fibrous vegetables (like cabbage and broccoli), flax seeds, garlic, grapes, green tea, soy, and tomatoes for their antioxidant properties and cancer-preventing roles.
Avoid processed foods, high-salt snacks like chips, and sugary drinks. These provide empty calories and little nutritional value.
9. Limit Sun (Ultraviolet) Exposure
Repeated UV exposure increases the risk of cancer on the lips, especially the lower lip.
Use UV-A/B-blocking lip protection when you step outside to help prevent lip cancer.
10. Exercise Regularly
Obesity increases your risk for all types of cancer. A balanced diet and active lifestyle are key to maintaining a healthy weight.
30 minutes of exercise a day — such as brisk walking, sports, aerobics, swimming, or muscle training — is highly recommended.
An active lifestyle helps boost the immune system and reduces cancer risk.
If you find it hard to stick to a routine, consider joining a club or exercising with a friend. Online fitness classes for dance, aerobics, and yoga can also help.
Apart from the above, occupational hazards like long-term exposure to radiation or harmful chemicals can also lead to cancer. Check your workplace and home to ensure minimum exposure to carcinogens.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” By following these practical steps, you will drastically cut down your risk of developing advanced-stage oral cancer.