Gum bleeding, mouth ulcers, bad breath: Early oral cancer signs tobacco users often ignore

And about 1.3 million are non-smokers dying from secondhand smoke exposure. Today, tobacco still hits one in five adults worldwide, that's 1.2 billion people. Tobacco is currently the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, preventable being the operative word. These aren't deaths from mystery illnesses or freak accidents. They're deaths from a product people buy, light up, and inhale, often starting as teenagers before the brain's reward system knows what's hit it. The addiction does the rest. And the people around them pay a price they never signed up for.

We had a conversation with Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Surgical Oncologist, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

Oral cancer cases are on the rise across the country. However, there is still a lack of awareness regarding this cancer. Everyone must exercise caution, as oral cancer, if not managed at the right time, can lead to loss of life. Many people are ignoring symptoms such as mouth ulcers that do not heal within two weeks, bleeding gums, and thinking that they will go away in a day or two. However, these symptoms can be associated with oral cancer. Apart from these symptoms, people should also pay attention to white or red patches inside the mouth, pain while chewing, lumps, swelling, loose teeth, or difficulty speaking and swallowing. Even signs such as constant bad breath and numbness in the mouth can also point to oral cancer. So, these symptoms can be commonly seen in tobacco users and need timely attention. It is time to focus on oral health and go for regular check-ups and follow-ups with the doctor.

There is often confusion between regular mouth ulcers and those linked to oral cancer. So, people shouldn’t panic, as not every ulcer is the sign of oral cancer. If anyone is having a mouth ulcer that heals within 3-4 days and is less painful, then it is not associated with cancer. However, an unhealed mouth ulcer for over two weeks that is painful, keeps growing, bleeds easily, leads to difficulty in eating or speaking, and is accompanied by a lump or white/red patch in the mouth can be linked to oral cancer. If the ulcer is due to cancer, then the expert will decide the appropriate line of treatment for the patient.

So, currently, a large number of people are using tobacco in different forms such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bidis, and waterpipes. They may struggle with bad breath, which can be a sign of gum disease, infection, tooth damage, or even early oral cancer. If bad breath continues despite brushing and mouth cleaning, and tobacco users also have symptoms such as bleeding gums, ulcers, pain, or swelling, it is important to consult a doctor and understand the underlying cause behind the bad breath. Don’t dismiss signs such as bad breath, thinking that it is common and nothing to worry about. Seek immediate help for bad breath.

So, previously, oral cancer was commonly seen in older tobacco users aged 50-75. Unfortunately, the scenario has completely changed over the last 5-7 years. Now, there is a concerning trend of rising oral cancer in young smokers and vape users aged 25 -45 years. Youngsters tend to socialize, attend parties, and end up smoking or vaping. Even many who are stressed also fall prey to these vices as a coping mechanism. Regular smoking, chewing tobacco, vaping, alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene are raising the chances of oral cancer and impacting the quality of life. It is important to quit tobacco and prevent oral cancer.

Early-stage oral cancer treatment has a survival rate of around 80- 90%. The patient will be able to recover and resume the daily routine with ease. The patient should report symptoms to the doctor without any delay, and improve their quality of life.