Health official advised betel nut chewers the risk of acquiring mouth cancer.
- Published on Friday, 17 February 2012 14:13
- Category: Mt. Province
By Andrew Doga-ong
BONTOC, Mt. Province(PIA)-- A health official advised betel nut chewers to stop the habit or they run the risk of acquiring the dreaded oral or mouth cancer.
Dr. Yvonne Gatawa of the Bontoc General Hospital, in an interview with the Radyo ng Bayan here, expressed this concern in efforts to promote oral health as an effective preventive measure against mouth cancer.
Gatawa said various health studies reveal that people who chew betel nut with lime have an increased chance of developing mouth cancer but people who chew the mixture with tobacco have an even greater risk of the disease.
She cited the International Agency for Research on Cancer findings which regard the chewing of betel nut to be a known human carcinogen.
Health officials said mouth cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, gums, the skin lining of the mouth or the lips.
To prevent the betel nut- related mouth cancer, health authorities advised chewers to stop or avoid chewing the betel nut on its own or in combination with tobacco.
Chewing of betel nut on its own or with mixture of lime and betel leaf and even tobacco is a popular habit in the highlands. It gives a mild rush of energy and stimulates the saliva gland which makes the chewer to constantly spit.
Tobacco smoking and heavy alcohol intake are also cited as the major causes of oral cancer, not only lung cancer.
Gatawa said the Bontoc General Hospital so far recorded two cases of mouth cancer which is not caused by betel nut chewing but associated on tobacco smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.
Mouth cancer has the following warning signs: Sore spots or ulceration of lips, tongue or other area inside the mouth that does not heal promptly; Swelling of the lips, gums or other area inside the mouth; difficulty in chewing or swallowing; repeated bleeding in the mouth with apparent cause, and numbness or loss of feeling in any part of the mouth. (JDP/AD- PIA CAR, Mt. Province)
