Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, is the most common type of head and neck cancer and most often affects adults aged 60 and older. Knowing the risk factors, symptoms, and possible recovery needs—including speech therapy—can help families respond quickly and support a loved one through treatment and healing.
Oral Cancer Covers Many Areas of the Mouth Area
Oral cancer is a broad term used to describe several types of mouth cancer that can occur. These cancers begin with the growth of abnormal cells in the mouth, often starting in the squamous cells that line the lips and the inside of the mouth. Depending on where the cancer develops, treatment can affect eating, swallowing, and speaking, which is one reason speech therapy may become an important part of recovery.
Areas that can be affected include the lips, the front of the tongue, the roof and floor of the mouth, the back of the tongue, the tonsils, and the sides and back of the throat.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Tobacco use is one of the leading risk factors for developing any type of oral cancer. Many people think first of lung cancer when they think of smoking, but smoking in every form—from cigarettes to pipes to cigars—increases the risk of mouth cancer. Even smokeless tobacco products like dip, snuff, or chewing tobacco greatly raise the risk.
Another common risk factor, especially when combined with smoking, is excessive alcohol use. Alcohol can irritate and dry out the tissues of the mouth, making them more vulnerable to damage. Overexposure to the sun without proper protection can also increase the risk of lip cancer.
Understanding these risk factors matters because early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and may reduce the level of long-term support, including speech therapy, that a person may need during recovery.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
The symptoms of oral cancer will vary based on where the cancer is located, but if you or your loved one notices any of these symptoms and has high-risk factors as well, it’s prudent to have them reviewed by a doctor or dentist as soon as possible.
- Sores inside the mouth or on the lip that won’t heal and bleed easily.
- A patch of white or red within the mouth.
- Teeth that have become loose or fall out.
- A lump or bump on the inside of the mouth.
- Problems or pain with chewing or swallowing.
- An earache
- Bad breath
Oral Cancer Recovery and Speech Therapy
If your loved one has oral cancer, his doctor will prescribe the best treatment for him. It may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or other courses of action. Oftentimes, once the treatment is finished, the person who had oral cancer finds he needs ongoing speech therapy to help him learn how to swallow properly, speak clearly, and adapt to possible dietary changes.
It can be difficult for some people to travel to a speech therapist each week or multiple times a week, so having someone come home to work on speech therapy with your loved one can be a relief and help ensure your loved one gets the help he needs.
While providing speech therapy at home, a speech therapist can also see how your loved one lives first-hand, make recommendations, and offer exercises that will be geared toward what they need exactly.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Speech Therapy in Weston, FL, please contact the caring staff at Actify Home Care today at (954) 902-6049
Actify Home Care provides exceptional home and facility care for anyone in Broward County, including Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Parkland, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, Coral Springs, Miramar, Florida, and surrounding areas.
We offer services all around the South Florida area, if you have questions for us or don’t see your area listed just ask, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today!
