On Oral Cancer
Some notes on oral cancer
Cancer of the mouth usually occurs along the side or the bottom of the tongue or on the floor of the mouth. The tumors often are painless at first and frequently are visible or can be felt with a finger. Regular examination of the soft tissues of the mouth is essential for early diagnosis. If you notice any persistent change from the usual appearance or feel of the soft tissues in your mouth, consult your dentist or physician. Early detection is important for successful treatment. Almost 25 percent of people with oral cancer die because of delayed discovery and treatment.
ORAL CANCER - Statistics
Oral cancer is the sixth most frequent cancer in the world (Buffalo Sisters Hospital, 2000). Oral cancer claims the life of one American every hour. Over thirty thousand Americans are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal (throat) cancer every year and 8,000 people die annually from these cancers. Only half survive more than five years. This overall 5-year survival rate (52 percent) has not changed in the past five decades. Black people have higher incidence and mortality rates than other subgroups.
“White Patches” - Cancer
"White patches" in the mouth are often diagnosed as precursors for an oral quamous carcinoma.
All of this would give us great cause for concern, however, after being told by a doctor that repeated injuries to skin can cause cancer, I asked a biologist who insists that cancer cells are the result of internal cell changes, not external. (Is so, then why do people who chew tobacco get cancer so often, I wonder? Perhaps because it is a chemical?).
In any case, I think rather that what oral self-injurers probably have to worry about more are mouth infections. The only way to keep this from happening, is if you are intent on doing it, is to wash your hands in antiseptic first, touch nothing else, and rinse, rinse, rinse with antiseptic agents.
The application of antiseptic oral numbing agents can really help a lot, too, as far as germs are concerned. In fact, sometimes they may help to stop the habit altogether in a psychological way because they remove the pain temporarily. If you aren't feeling pain, then it takes away some of the brain-chemical addictive qualities of the act, I would think. You may not feel that tension release and adrenaline if you aren't feeling any pain. Keep applying it, and I hope that if you are a cheek biter or oral injury sufferer, you will let me know if this suggestion works for you.