Oral cancer how do you get it

Betel nuts are mildly addictive seeds from the betel palm tree. They're widely used in many south Asian communities, such as people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan origin.

Betel nuts have a stimulant effect similar to coffee. They also have a carcinogenic effect, which means they can increase the risk of mouth cancer. This risk is increased further by chewing betel nuts with added tobacco, as many people in south Asia do.

Because of the tradition of chewing betel nuts, rates of mouth cancer are much higher in people from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan community than in the British population at large. There's evidence that an unhealthy diet can increase your risk of getting some types of mouth cancer. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Lip cancer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Lip cancer Lip cancer may appear as a sore on your lip that doesn't heal. Mouth cancer — white patches Open pop-up dialog box Close. Mouth cancer — white patches Mouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth. Mouth cancer — red sore Open pop-up dialog box Close. Mouth cancer — red sore Mouth cancer signs may include red sores that don't heal.

Email address. First Name let us know your preferred name. Last Name. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Flint PW, et al. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. Noncancerous lesions tend to resolve in a few weeks.

If red and white patches last more than two weeks, you should see your dentist. You may see these mouth abnormalities before you feel them. In the early stages, mouth cancer may cause no pain. Bright red patches in your mouth that look and feel velvety are called erythroplakia. They are often precancerous. If you have erythroplakia, your dentist will take a biopsy of these cells. A white or grayish patch inside your mouth or on your lips is called leukoplakia , or keratosis.

An irritant like a rough tooth, broken denture, or tobacco can cause cell overgrowth and produce these patches. The habit of chewing the inside of your cheek or lips can also lead to leukoplakia. Exposure to carcinogenic substances can also cause these patches to develop. These patches signal that the tissue is abnormal and can become malignant. However, in most cases it will be benign.

The patches may be rough and hard and difficult to scrape off. Leukoplakia generally develops slowly, over a period of weeks or months. You may find erythroplakia anywhere in your mouth, but it occurs most often in the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue or on your gums behind your back teeth.

Check your mouth carefully once a month for any signs of abnormality. Use a magnifying mirror under bright light to get a clear view. Pull your tongue out gently with clean fingers and inspect underneath. The disease is more likely to affect males than females. Smokers and heavy drinkers should have regular checkups with the dentist, as tobacco and alcohol are risk factors for mouth cancer.

Signs that cancer could develop eventually include :. Leukoplakia : This is where there are white patches in the mouth that do not disappear when a person rubs them. Oral lichen planus : This is where there are areas of white lines with a reddish border, possibly with ulceration.

Many oral lesions may be precancerous. They do not mean that someone has cancer, but people should speak to their doctor about any changes that occur in the mouth. If cancer develops, a person may notice :. Having any of these symptoms does not mean that a person has mouth cancer, but it is worth checking with a doctor.

There are a number of options , as we describe here. A doctor may recommend surgery to remove the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around it. Oral cancers are sensitive to radiation therapy. This treatment uses beams of high energy X-rays or radiation particles to damage the DNA inside the tumor cells, destroying their ability to reproduce. External beam radiation : A machine targets the affected area with radiation beams.

Brachytherapy : The surgeon will use radioactive needles to deliver radiation to the tumor inside the body. A doctor may recommend this for people with early stage tongue cancer. A person with early stage mouth cancer may only need radiation therapy, but a doctor can recommend combining it with other treatments to reduce the risk of cancer progressing or recurring. Find out more about radiation therapy here. If cancer is widespread, a doctor may recommend combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy.