NHA’s mission is to develop healthy families through empowerment, wellness and education. and we want to keep our audience informed on health issues and create awareness on preventative care.
Recently, the San Diego community lost the great San Diego Padre Tony Gwyn to oral cancer. With the rising concern in the community related to this particular disease, we would like to share the symptoms and risks of oral cancer.
Oral cancer appears as a growth or a sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat) can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated on time. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), men run twice the risk for the disease, especially those over the age of 50. Some symptoms of oral cancer include swelling/thickening lumps or bumps, rough spots or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or unexplained bleeding in the mouth and more. Several risk factors of oral cancer include smoking and smokeless tobacco, alcohol, family history of cancer and overexposure to the sun.
In order to stay healthy and prevent such diseases, it is important to not miss regular doctor check-ups. Please, remember that exercise and keeping a nutritious diet are key factors to staying healthy.