Mouth cancer or oral cancer, is one of the most dangerous types of cancer that is becoming prevalent in our society nowadays. It can target almost any area of the oral cavity. This type of cancer is very common among elderly people, and can occur both in men and women. Every year, almost 350,000 to 400,000 people are diagnosed with this type of disease.
You may think that mouth cancer is caused by unusual factors, but on the contrary, mouth cancer can stem from activities that are done everyday. Cancerous tissues that develop in the oral cavity are caused by mundane factors that irritate the mucous membranes. Here are several known mouth cancer causes.
* Smoking tobacco and cigarettes- This is the most popular cause of oral cancer today. Almost 75% of people who have this type of disease has acquired it from smoking. The chemicals, smoke and heat from the combustion of cigarettes, pipes and cigars causes irritation in the oral cavity area.
* Drinking alcohol- Alcoholic beverages also contain chemicals such as nitrosamines, which can cause cancerous tissues to develop. People who drink alcohol frequently and smoke at the same time are at higher of getting mouth cancer.
* Chewing betel, Areca, paan and other quid substances- This is a social habit that is highly popular in many countries in Asia, as well as in Australia, North America and Europe. Chewing quid substances is usually a culture-related tradition, and they have various benefits according to the locals who do it., such as sweetening a person’s breath, preventing hunger, and simply making a person feel good. But even so, there are substances in betel and other quid materials that are harmful and can cause cancerous tissues to develop when they are in contact with the tongue and gums for long time periods.
* Frequent and prolonged exposure to sunlight- Oral cancer can target the lips and the skin around it, especially for people who are often exposed to the sun. Melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer, can target these outer mouth areas.
* Virus infection from oral sex- A certain type of virus called the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV is becoming a common risk factor for mouth cancer. This type of virus targets the tonsil, the oropharynx and the base of the tongue. HPV virus is also the cause of some cervical cancer cases, and is also considered as a type of sexually transmitted infection. This is the reason why people who are prone to oral sex activities develop mouth cancer.