Oral cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells, which increases due to tobacco and alcohol. It is also common among youth in India, where more than 22% of patients suffer from it. It can be completely cured by identifying the early symptoms and timely treatment.
Expert – Dr. Murali Mohan Chuntaru, BDS-MDS, DNB, MBA, MOSRCSEd(UK) Mouth, Face and Jaw Surgeon
World Cancer Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 4 February to spread awareness about cancer, remove superstitions and alert people to adopt healthy lifestyle and eating habits. This tradition started in 2011. The theme of the 2026 event is ‘A Special Togetherness’.
What is this mouth cancer?
When cells inside the mouth grow uncontrollably and form a lump, it is called oral cancer. Cancer is a terrible disease spread all over the world. Lung, intestine and mouth cancer are more common in men. Genital, breast and uterine cancer are more common in women. But in recent times, cases of oral cancer have increased significantly due to excessive use of tobacco, gutkha, smoking, alcohol etc. Earlier cancer was mostly seen in people above 50 years of age. But now it is being seen more in the youth (people aged 30 to 40 years). This is a matter of great concern. The main reason for this is that we are exposed to many cancer-causing elements and environment every day, and youth are becoming more and more victims of bad habits like tobacco and smoking. In comparison to developed countries, more people are falling victim to cancer in developing countries like India, which is a very worrying thing.
In our country, things like illiteracy, poverty, lack of basic facilities and malnutrition are also creating an environment for cancer. In our country India, more than 22% of the patients are suffering from oral cancer. According to the data of the Indian Council of Medical Research, in our country, oral cancer is leaving other cancers behind and is coming to the first place and every year more than 2.5 to 3.5 lakh new patients are emerging. Living a normal life for 5 years after undergoing oral cancer treatment is considered a successful treatment. But sadly, more than 75% of cases are detected in the third stage of the disease. It is very difficult to treat such patients successfully. If cancer is detected in the early stages, effective treatment can be given. According to current data, the number of people who survive such successful treatment is less than 40%. Due to lack of correct information, ignorance and superstition, people are not able to get proper treatment, due to which cancer has become a big threat to our society.
There are 2 types of mouth lumps
1.Slowly growing lump
2. Fast growing lump
Generally, rapidly growing tumors are called cancer. It has no limit (capsule). It spreads very quickly from its place of birth to other parts of the body through channels called blood or lymph. Such fast-growing tumors and their cells do not resemble their parent normal cells and do not fully develop into cells. There are different types of tumors depending on their parent cells. For example, blood vessel cells, muscle cells, bone cells or nerve cells. By examining ‘biopsy’ of such lumps and observing them under a microscope, the original cells of the disease are detected and proper treatment is given.
Slowly growing lumps are within a limit. They remain in the area where they occur and do not spread to other parts of the body. The cells look very similar to their parent cells and grow very slowly. Such lumps do not cause pain and are usually not life threatening.
What are the main causes of oral cancer?
internal causes of the body
1.Heredity
2.Ethnic reasons
3.Geographical reasons
external or environmental causes
1.Smoking
2.drinking alcohol
3. Consumption of tobacco products like gutkha
4. False teeth not fitting properly
5. Constant injury from sharp teeth
6.Environmental pollution
7. Food adulteration
8.Excessive dental radiation or environmental radiation, pollution etc.
9.Fungal or viral infection
What Are The Symptoms Of Mouth Cancer?
If oral cancer is identified in its early stages, effective treatment can be given. Usually, early stage mouth cancer can be completely cured with surgery. But once cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the neck or to distant organs (via the blood or lymph), effective treatment may become impossible. Generally, cancer treatment is given in different ways like surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Overall, if the disease is detected early, effective treatment can be given.
How to recognize the symptoms of cancer?
1.Burning sensation in the mouth while eating spicy food in the initial stages.
2. Having a blister or wound in the mouth which does not heal.
3. Formation of lump in the mouth and bleeding when touched.
4.Extreme pain which does not go away even after taking pills.
5. Difficulty in opening the mouth. Normally a person can open the mouth up to 50 mm, but cancer patients may find it difficult to open the mouth more than 20 mm.
6. Difficulty and pain while speaking and eating.
7. Appearance of white and red spots in the mouth.
8. Blister, lump or wound on the tongue and difficulty in moving the tongue.
9.Feeling like excessive salivation.
10. Formation of lumps around the neck, which can be 2 to 10 in number and are as hard as stone, but they do not cause pain.
If you see any of the symptoms mentioned above, immediately consult a dentist and get the right treatment at the right time, so that cancer can be treated effectively.
Doctor’s last and important advice
Not all cancers are fatal. Most cancer patients can be completely cured by identifying them in the early stages and providing effective treatment at the right time. It is wrong to think that all cancer patients die early. People should understand this truth and fight and win against cancer with confidence.