Cancer Prevention Tips

11/2/2009
Add A Natural Cancer-fighting Ingredient to Your Meal!

Consuming Black Sesame Seeds regularly is beneficial in protecting again colon and prostate cancer.

Black Sesame, rich in essential trace minerals, can promote anti-inflammatory process and maintain a healthy immune system.
Black sesame seeds contain higher levels of antioxidants than brown ones.
Icing on the cake is their cholesterol lowering effect.

The best way to eat Black Sesame Seeds is to sprinkle a spoonful of them over your salad, cereals, vegetable dishes, steamed broccoli, or fruit, as a tasty ingredient or addition, not a main food. They are actually inexpensive.

11/9/2009
Manage Airborne Pollutants to Prevent Lung Cancer

Smoking cigarettes and passive smoking are well-known contributors to lung cancer. However, many people do not realize that another risk factor is pollutants in our environment. Air pollution results from vehicular smoke, industrial smoke, toxic chemicals, fumes and dust. The leading yet most overlooked source at home is household cleaning products. Here are 3 essential tips:

1. Know what you are exposed to in the workplace and take security measures.
2. Start chemical-free or natural cleaning at home.
3. Individuals with previous or chronic lung disease, besides limiting exposure to asbestos, radon and air pollutants, consult your doctors regularly.

11/16/2009
Early Signs or Symptoms of Lung Cancer

The key to a possible cure of lung cancer is to catch it early and start treatment soon. Here are NCI guidelines to recognize early symptoms:

Persistent cough
Constant chest pain
Coughing up blood
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis
Swelling of facial area
Loss of appetite or weight
Fatigue

These symptoms may also be caused by other health problems. It is imperative to consult a doctor soon, especially when you have any history of smoking, passive smoking, exposure to asbestos, radon and pollutants, or previous lung disease.

11/23/2009
Lung Cancer Prevention by Phytoestrogen-Rich Food

Accumulating evidence indicates that many antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables function as effective agents for cancer prevention. Research suggests that dietary phytoestrogens may protect against lung and prostate cancer risks and slow down their progression.

Foods rich in phytoestrogens include, but are not limited to, beans (yellow, black, red, and soybeans), leafy greens and sprouts, whole grains, edible seeds (sesame, sunflower, pumpkin), and various fruit berries. Try to eat fresh and frequently, if possible. Otherwise, enjoy cooking and serving with other healthy dishes.

Remember cancer protective benefits with lack of toxicity are from unprocessed phytoestrogen-rich foods, not artificial phytoestrogen supplements.

11/30/2009
Catch Polyps and Colon Cancer Early

A polyp is a growth on the surface of the large intestine (i.e. colon). Keep 3 points in mind:

1. Colon polyps can be raised or flat; also can be benign or cancerous.
2. Most colon polyps don't cause symptoms. If any, symptoms include constipation or diarrhea for weeks, or some bleeding.
3. Anyone can develop colon polyps.

That's why early detection by regular screening is important, especially for those at higher risk, including at age of 50 or older, a smoker, overweight, eat a high-fat but low-fiber diet, or have a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer.

12/7/2009
How to Make Carrots Your Competent Cancer Fighter

Carrots are effective cancer fighters and they are the richest source of beta-carotene, one of powerful carotenoid antioxidants. High intake of this food has proven to reduce cancer risks including breast, ovarian, prostate, colon and bladder cancer.

These tips help maximize carrots’ cancer protective property via increasing your body’s absorption of their nutritional components.

1. Eat cooked carrots, because raw carrots contain tough cell walls and cooking makes the nutrients bioavailable by breaking down the cell membranes.
2. Eat with “good fat”, such as olive oil, nuts or avocados.
3. Cook in big chunks.
4. Consume with other carotenoid-rich foods.

12/14/2009
Top 3 Principles to Lower Your Holiday Stress Level

Primary cancer risk factors during holidays are diet and stress. Stress can translate into negative changes in the body, but you can boost your immune system with a joyful spirit. Here are the top 3 principles:

1. The keywords are Prioritize, Be realistic, and Simplify (PBS), which guarantee to cut your “To Do” list to a percentage you can handle comfortably.

2. Budget within your means to avoid “New Year Depression” on debt. Use your creativity, we all have it, and you’ll be amazed at the outcome!

3. Remember this golden rule: The holiday season is a time of Family, Friends and Fun. Love & Laugh!

12/21/2009
Top 3 Tips for Low-fat and Low-sugar Cooking

Being overweight is a proven cancer risk factor. Holiday diets can easily fall into high-fat and high-calorie traps. These 3 tips help you cook low-fat, low-sugar meals without sacrificing taste to make the foods you all love.

1. Use skim milk instead of whole milk in the mashed potatoes or any desired dishes.
2. A practical rule of thumb: reduce sugar or cheese ¼ to 1/3 when making cookies or dishes and they’ll still come out tasty.
3. Creative combinations: try alternatives to sugar or combinations with sugar, e.g. using nuts, fruits, and other cancer-fighting ingredients to reduce sugar intake.

12/28/2009
Celebrate the New Year with a Health-Benefited Mindset

Alcohol is a known risk factor for cancer. It increases the risk of liver, colon, breast, mouth, esophagus and upper respiratory tract cancer, in addition to other health problems (e.g. heart disease, hypertension, stroke), birth defects, and fatal accidents.

Please keep these important tips in mind:

1. Celebrate the New Year without/with limited alcohol. Many people have done so and had a wonderful time.

2. If you choose to drink, make sure to have a designated driver. Better yet, stay home and enjoy a drink or two with your family and friends.

3. You don’t need to be drunk to increase your risk of cancer.

1/4/2010
Boost Immune System for a Healthy & Happy New Year

To develop a strong immune system, i.e. your natural defense to cancer, mental well-being is essential and within our control. Here are the best tips:

1. Maintain a positive mental outlook and develop high self-esteem.
2. Be grateful, remember 5 things to appreciate before going to sleep everyday.
3. Be willing to give and help others.
4. Have a sense of humor, even at stressful times or when you make mistakes.
5. Reduce stress via any techniques that work for you (e.g. exercise, meditation…).
6. Develop rich and warm relationships with family and friends.
7. Ensure adequate sleep (7-8 hours per night) and good rest.

1/11/2010
Make Fiber Your Cancer-Fighting Companion

Dietary fiber can protect against several forms of cancer including breast, stomach and colon cancer. While your body cannot digest it, fiber helps move food, eliminate waste and carcinogens.

Fiber is abundant in whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables. Here are 5 practical tips to get 30-35 grams per day as recommended:

1. Breakfast: Have oatmeal, high-fiber cereal or fiber-rich English Muffins.
2. Lunch: Eat plenty of veggies and beans, or use whole grain bread and vegetables for your sandwiches.
3. Dinner: Eat whole-wheat pasta, brown rice or potato with skin, plus veggies and olive oil.
4. Snack: No-salt popcorn, All-bran, Multi-grain crackers or high-fiber bars, plus fresh/dried fruits and seeds.
5. Drinks: Fruit/Veggie juice, low-fat yogurt or soy milk.

1/18/2010
Reduce Your Exposure to BPA

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical, has been linked to breast, ovarian, prostate and brain cancer, not to mention other diseases/disorders. It’s not only from canned drinks and canned food, but also from various hidden sources. To reduce your exposure, remember top 5 safety tips:

1. Use glass bottles for babies, or BPA-free plastic bottles.
2. Microwave food in glass or BPA-free plastic containers. Use glass, stainless steel or porcelain containers, especially for hot food or liquids.
3. Unless BPA-free, avoid putting plastic containers in dishwasher or using harsh detergents.
4. Reduce the intake of canned foods, canned soft drinks.
5. Limit handling printed receipts at the gas station or from automated machines.

1/25/2010
Essential Techniques to Lose Weight

Each year countless New Year resolutions are made to lose weight. However, the majority of them are unsuccessful. There is no magic pill, period. We have 4 proven core tips:

1. The #1 “secret” is Discipline, because weight loss is a life time practice based on lifestyle choices, not fixed programs done in days or months.
2. Remember a simple formula: Calories in = Calories out.
3. Intake more proteins and less fat to ensure nutrient-rich calories.
4. Always be physically active; find various ways to exercise: walking, taking the stairs, biking, dancing, gardening, etc., and do it regularly.

2/1/2010
10 Ways to Ensure Protein-rich Food with Cancer-fighting Nutrients in Daily Diet

In conjunction with a low-sugar and low-calorie diet, higher protein intake can be beneficial for weight loss. Here are 10 ways of eating protein-rich food to help you control weight and reduce cancer risks:

1. Fish (salmon, tuna, etc.), excellent source of protein.
2. Tofu and other soy foods, excellent alternative to meat.
3. Beans
4. Nuts
5. Skim milk (not whole-milk, which contains high saturated fat).
6. Yogurt, low-fat
7. Cheese, low fat
8. Eggs
9. Less or no red meat nor processed meat.
10. A variety of foods, whole wheat breads, whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Mix them up so you gain not only more proteins, but also healthy fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

2/8/2010
Enjoy Chocolate and Reduce Cancer Risks

Chocolate is not only for lovers but good for your heart, plus a bonus — your cancer-fighting agent. Here are a few tips to make you get the most out of it.

1. Eat dark chocolate with ≥ 70% cocoa. Keep in mind, the higher the percentage of cocoa, the more flavonoids. It’s also less sweet.
2. Eat moderate amounts regularly. Suggested intake is 1-2 oz a day.
3. Check the ingredients. Chocolate is a calories-dense food, with fat, sugar, and possibly other ingredients added by the manufacturer. Choose wisely.
4. Integrate it into a healthy lifestyle, along with a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet and exercise.

2/15/2010
Tomatoes’ Cancer Fighting Synergy

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant and cancer fighting substance. These food combinations make the protection more powerful:

Tomatoes + broccoli (or cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) = synergy of lycopene and sulforaphane.
Tomatoes + dark green leafy vegetables (e.g. spinach, collard greens) = synergy of lycopene and lutein.
Tomatoes + cancer fighting veggies + avocado; help your body absorb cancer fighting nutrients. Plus, avocados significantly lower blood cholesterol levels.

Phytochemicals (biologically active components in plant foods) suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets. So, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in salad, stir-fry, or as pizza toppings.

2/22/2010
Prostate-healthy “Practice 101”

Age, inheritance and race are beyond anyone’s control. Yet you can control the following protective factors:

1. Eat a healthy diet. Avoid animal fat and trans fat. No smoking either. A diet high in fat is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
2. Exercise, be physically active.
3. Keep a healthy weight. Being overweight is just not good for your heart and body.
4. Control any inflammation (prostatitis) or growth. Visit your doctor if you experience any burning sensation when urinating, fever or frequent urination.
5. Early detection through regular checkups for preventative screenings, e.g. prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam (DRE) is important.
6. Reduce stress and sleep well.

3/1/2010
7 Protective Tips in Asbestos’ Continuing Presence

Asbestos was once used to fireproof buildings. It has been proven to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. In some aging buildings, asbestos is creating a serious threat to public health, particularly cancer risks to both employees and visitors. Here are 6 tips to protect yourself from asbestos exposure.

1. Find out if your building has asbestos and at what level.
2. Improve poor ventilation.
3. Repair a leaky roof, or problematic asbestos-coated ceiling tiles and walls.
4. Control flooding or water leaks with falling asbestos immediately.
5. Avoid asbestos-related hazardous working conditions.
6. Express your concerns to the employer.
7. If you experience any chest or abdominal pain accompanied by shortness of breath, weight loss or fever, visit your doctor soon.

Warning: Asbestos is still around!

3/8/2010
Two Philosophical Principles for Vitality and Cancer Prevention

“Life lies in movement”. “Life lies in quietness”. The former focuses on the external and physiological side, while the latter, the internal and psychological side. It isn’t as contradictory as it sounds. It is really about wholeness or mind-body connection -- an elegant combination of healthy living practices.

“Moving” tells us to stay physically active, exercise to promote blood flow and organ functions. Each right action, from diet to behavior, keeps the inside in motion. Meanwhile, modern life creates a lot of stress, which contributes to many illnesses including cancer. “Being quiet” guides us to find peace in our surroundings, in our mind and spirit. Consequently, relaxation, tranquility, gratitude, love and joy all help us achieve a sense of well-being.

3/15/2010
Where Do You Stand in Minimizing Cancer Risks?

Western diets and lifestyle have been linked to increased risk of various cancers, particularly cancer of breast, colon, prostate, and possibly pancreas, ovary, and endometrium.

Stay away from the following “too much” and “too little” for your cancer prevention:

• Too much fat (vs. Recommended total fat intake: 30% of calories)
• Too much salt (vs. Recommended sodium daily intake: 500-1800 mg )
• Too much red and processed meat
• Too much TV watching
• Too little exercise (vs. Recommended: at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
• Too little fiber (vs. Recommended daily intake: at least 30 grams)
• Too little fresh fruits and vegetables (vs. Recommended: at least 5 servings per day)

3/22/2010
Control Asthma and Reduce Lung Cancer Risk

Beautiful spring is approaching, so is the allergy challenging season when irritations range from coughing, sneezing, tearing to asthma. Research indicates that asthma may increase the risk of lung cancer and that of lung cancer mortality, even for nonsmokers.
Here are some step-by-step tips to help you keep asthma symptoms to a minimum:

1. Track your symptoms concerning when and where.
2. Monitor the trigger(s) and avoid or eliminate it if possible (e.g. pollen, mold, dust, dust mites, animal fur or dander).
3. Get an accurate diagnosis followed by a treatment plan with your doctor.
4. Take your medication religiously.
5. Improve your immune system and overall health. Avoid air pollutants and reduce stress.
6. Remember: Certain foods can be your asthma trigger(s) or intensifier(s).

For more information on controling indoor air, dust and chemicals, as well as tips of spring cleaning for health, check out our blog site.

3/29/2010
6 Tips to Reduce Salt Intake

Healthy diet includes limiting salt intake. High sodium intake has been linked to increased risk of stomach cancer, in addition to high blood pressure. Here are 6 tips to control your salt intake:

1. Know daily sodium intake: no more than 2.4g. That is about 1 level teaspoon of salt (6g salt or 2.4g sodium).
2. Evaluate, and reduce if necessary, dietary salt sources. (e.g. salty foods/snacks, canned foods, TV dinners, restaurant meals, etc.)
3. Limit intake of processed foods (e.g. sausage).
4. If you eat out often, ask about salt in restaurant foods or request to omit salt.
5. Replace salt with flavor ingredients (e.g. garlic, chili, curry, or herbs).
6. Always balance your diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

4/5/2010
Calcium Intake 101

Calcium is an essential dietary mineral. Every cell and tissue in the body use it. Calcium intake can prevent osteoporosis and other diseases.

Although it is not clear whether higher calcium intake reduces cancer risks, some research suggests that high calcium intake may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Here are basics for adequate intake.

1. Recommended daily amount: 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg) for adults. If taking supplement, take it with meals.
2. Maximal consumption: 500mg of calcium or less each time. The body can only absorb ~600 mg of calcium at one time.
3. Food sources: milk, yogurt, cheese, and dark green vegetables; also in certain grains and nuts.
4. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
5. Not recommended: Use calcium supplements to reduce cancer risks.
6. Women’s bodies absorb more calcium during the last two trimesters of pregnancy and breastfeeding, so ensure enough intake.

4/12/2010
Flavonoids and Seasonal Vegetables

Flavonoids are important antioxidants that prevent cellular damage by free radicals and have anti-carcinogenic benefits. Here is a list of flavonoid-rich foods; some are spring seasonal veggies.

1. Apples, one of few foods rich in Quercetin. The flavonoid has been shown to reduce cancer risk and inflammation, and protect against other diseases. So, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” holds truth.
2. Berries including blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
3. Carrots
4. Celery, also an excellent source of dietary fiber.
5. Garlic
6. Plums and Prunes. Prunes also help achieve regularity in bowel movements
7. Spinach, Broccoli, and kale.
8. Tomatoes
9. Watercress
10. Avocado, a “good fat”.
11. Vidalia Onions, the type only available during spring.
12. Green tea
13. Chocolate with 70% cocoa

4/19/2010
Risk Factors of Stomach Cancer

Studies have shown that the following several factors may raise a person's risk of stomach cancer (or gastric cancer).

1. A history of Helicobacter pylori infection
2. Diet containing a lot of smoked foods, salted fish and meat, and pickled vegetables.
3. Gender — seen more common in men than in women.
4. Aging — Most people diagnosed with stomach cancer are after 50s.
5. Cigarette smoking
6. Obesity
7. A family history of stomach cancer
8. Stomach lymphoma and/or inherited cancer syndromes

Although some of these cannot be controlled, others can, especially those related to lifestyle.

5/3/2010
Smokers' Formula

It’s time to quit smoking and the reason is simple — lighting a cigarette releases more than 50 known carcinogens into the air and into the lungs of smokers. Eliminating the exposure to those carcinogens can prevent many new cases of cancer.

Smoking or passive smoking → most common causative factor of several types of cancer.

Smoking + Pollutants == More Carcinogens and More cancer risks

Smoking + Asbestos inhalation == a Lethal Combination

Smoking + Consuming alcohol == a Deadly Combination

Smoking then Quit smoking → added life span

5/18/2010
Tips for Drinking Water Safety

Drinking water safety is crucial to not only cancer prevention, but also good health. Commercial water bottles are convenient and considered “purified”. However, there is no quality testing results available, plus they are made from plastics. Leaching of chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates is common especially when the bottles sit in the sun or a car in the summer. Here are 4 tips for drinking water safety.

1. Make sure that your tap water is safe based on the results from public water monitoring sources.
2. Filter your tap water for drinking and cooking to ensure it’s safer.
3. Use stainless steel bottles if you carry water around with you.
4. Be aware of “BPA-Free” water bottles since some of them tested contain BPA.

5/24/2010
Raise Awareness of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the rare and deadliest cancer types. The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is largely unknown, but the following are known as risk factors:

Age: The risk of developing pancreatic cancer increases with age (most 50+).
Gender: Pancreatic cancer is more common in men than in women.
Race: In US, it’s more common in the African-American than in the white population.
Smoking: Smokers’ risk increases 2-3 fold.
Diet: Eating more meats and high fat foods may increase the risk, while a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce it.
Diabetes: Studies suggest that diabetics have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatitis: Chronic inflammation of the pancreas has been linked to this cancer.
Environment: Carcinogens and pollutants in the environment facilitate it.
Family history: Pancreatic cancer is proportionally more common in Jewish families due to a particular inherited mutation.

5/31/2010
Spotlight for Sun Protection Foods

Dietary antioxidants have known effects against cancers of prostate, breast, liver, lung and skin. Here we summarize a few of them:

1. Green tea: Research showed that its extracts (polyphenols) inhibit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induced skin carcino-genesis.
2. Apples, apple juice, and apple products: They prevent skin, breast and colon carcino-genesis in animal studies. Epidemiological data indicate that regular consumption (one or more apples a day) may reduce the risk for lung and colon cancer.
3. Colorful fruits and vegetables: They contain carotenoid antioxidants that fight free radical induced DNA damage.
4. Fish (like salmon and sardines) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can inhibit cancer-causing potential of UVR.
5. Vitamin D: It may provide protection against various cancers. When insufficient dietary intake (from milk, egg, etc) and lack of sun, supplement with 1000 IU vitamin D daily.

6/7/2010
Chives — Your Cancer Prevention Agent

Chives belong to the Allium vegetables, which also include garlic, onions, scallions, and leeks. Here are their beneficial effects on cancer prevention:

1. Allium vegetables have a protective effect against cancer of the esophagus, stomach and prostate.
2. Chives, rich in flavonoid antioxidants, also contain the enzymes that activate macrophage and slow down cancer metastasis.
3. Constipation is a common issue during cancer treatment. Chives can prevent constipation, reduce cancer-causing toxin retention in the gut, and hence prevent colon cancer.

How to make this wonderful addition a part of your cancer prevention diet? It can be:
- added flavor to tofu when frying;
- used as a garnish or ingredient for salad;
- served as an ingredient in soups, stews, or sauces.

Bonus: If you grow it in your backyard, you can benefit from gardening — getting fresh air and physical activity.

6/14/2010
Control the Summer Foe — Mold

Indoor mold is mostly found in damp locations. Poor ventilation is the primary cause; particularly in the summer months, air is humid, and the windows are closed to keep the air-conditioner running cool.

Mold has been known to harm our health when ingested or inhaled. It causes respiratory problems, especially for people with preexisting conditions. It has also been linked to cancer of testicles and breast. So, how to prevent it?

1. Keep the heating and air-conditioning systems functioning well.
2. Control the humidity if possible. Moisture leads to conditions that are favorable to mold, dust mites, bacteria and yeast.
3. Fix the damp sources/problems, such as bathrooms, basements, around windows, moistened ceilings or walls, wet carpets, and under the house, even leaky pipes.
4. Do not use carpet if the humid and damp conditions cannot be controlled.
5. If mold becomes a serious problem, seek professional help.

6/21/2010
Simple Substitutions for Cancer-fighting Nutrition and Benefits

1. Replace dark meat with white meat.
2. Replace fatty cuts of meat with lean ones.
3. Replace fats with olive oil or nuts.
4. Replace white rice with brown rice.
5. Replace sugar-rich disserts with fresh fruits.
6. Replace junk foods with vegetables.
7. Replace processed foods with fresh or frozen ones.
8. Replace salt with herbal seasoning.
9. Replace soft drinks with tea.
10. Replace artificial juices with water.

6/28/2010
Enjoy Apples' Health Benefits Including Cancer Prevention

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. The truth of this ancient wisdom comes with a new purpose. Eating more apples helps reduce your cancer risks. Why?

1. Apples are rich in quercetin and pectin, the antioxidants that many foods don’t have. Pectin can remove harmful bacteria from human gastrointestinal tract, hence destroy the enzymes required for colon cancer cell growth.
2. Apples contain phytochemicals -- mainly flavonoids and polyphenols, have potent anti-cancer properties, including anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells of human colon, breast, and liver.
3. Apples are also rich sources of many other nutrients, such as vitamin C and B, and fibers – an important component to help bowel movements.

So, to keep cancer at bay, enjoy your apples! To maximize cancer prevention benefits, eat fresh ones with the skin.

7/5/2010
Beans—Nutrient-dense Food

Research shows that regularly consuming beans can help control weight, reduce risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Eating beans 4 times weekly may prevent colon cancer.

Healthful nutrients in beans include:
1. An excellent source of protein — good alternatives to red meat.
2. Folate--an important B vitamin linked to lowering risk of colon cancer yet not produced by the human body.
3. Calcium
4. Potassium
5. Dietary fibers
6. Complex carbohydrates
7. Phytochemicals or antioxidants

Other beneficial factors are low in fat, calories and sodium, and free of cholesterol. Plus, they are inexpensive.

Easy ways to include beans in your diet: add them to soup or salad, serve them as a dish, or eat dried beans as a snack.

7/12/2010
5 Easy Ways to Enjoy Summer Foods

By now you might know how fruits and vegetables can benefit your health, especially cancer prevention. There are a long list of fresh fruits and vegetables available in the summer, such as apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries, watermelon, pears, leafy green veggies, eggplant, bell peppers, and so on. Here are 5 easy ways to consume them in your daily diet. Think about:

1. Numbers - Eat a variety of types of fruits/veggies a day, several servings a day.
2. Color - Colorful salad is both healthy and appealing to your appetite.
3. Combinations - Incorporate veggies into a dish with fish or poultry, fruits into desserts.
4. Smoothies - Mix colorful fruits (fresh or frozen) with low-fat milk and yogurt.
5. New - Try a new fruit or veggie, and create a new dish.

7/19/2010
Do Not Overlook Oral Cancer

Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth. It can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inside lining of the cheeks, and the roof and floor of the mouth. 70 - 80% of oral cancer cases are associated with smoking or tobacco use. Other risk factors include:

- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Poor dental and oral hygiene
- Chronic irritation, such as rough teeth, dentures, fillings, etc.
- Mouth ulcer or white plaque (leukoplakia)
- Infection with HPV (human papilloma virus)
- Gender – Men are twice as susceptible to oral cancer as women.

So, be aware of any changes inside the mouth and check with your dentist.