{"id":3911,"date":"2019-02-18T04:17:08","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T04:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3911"},"modified":"2021-05-27T13:23:59","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T13:23:59","slug":"15-causes-of-tongue-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-causes-of-tongue-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Tongue Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Cancer affects numerous parts of the body, including the tongue. One of the initial signs of mouth cancer is a lump or bump on the side of your tongue that doesn\u2019t go away after a few days. While it’s reasonable to experience inflammation after a bite or cut, most people will remember the incident that sparked the onset of the swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience the sudden onset of a sore or bump on your tongue, and you can\u2019t remember what you did to get it, then it may be an early warning sign of a tumor. The tumor may have a pinkish-red appearance, and may bleed when you touch it, other symptoms of tongue cancer include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Issues with swallowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Pain on or around the tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Changes in the tone and pitch of your voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Loose teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Mouth or ear pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight causes of tongue cancer. If you notice any of them, make an appointment with your physician for a diagnosis.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.    Weak Immune System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the prominent risk factors that make you more susceptible to developing tongue cancer includes a weak immune system. Over 70-percent of our immune system<\/a> resides in the digestive system. When we experience issues with our GI tract, immune response lowers, allowing for pathogens and bacteria to infect the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your immune system is no longer functioning optimally, it fails to tell the difference between cancerous cells and normal cells. In some cases, people may develop an autoimmune response that attacks healthy cells, confusing them for foreign invaders, such as a virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the immune function is in a sub-optimal state, it allows for the development and spread of cancer to other areas of the body, in a process called metastasis. Prevent cancer from developing by keeping your immune system healthy. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day and make sure you eat a nutritious, balanced diet to ward off infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.    Hereditary Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cancer has a genetic nature, meaning that it can occur as a result of faulty genes <\/a>passed on by one or both of your parents. Risk of developing the disease triples if for individuals whose mother or father experienced the onset of tongue cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, if your siblings or secondary family members, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, developed mouth or tongue cancer, your risk exponentially rises compared to the rest of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our DNA is the building block of life, and it contains instructions for bodily functions and processes. Parents present two sets of genes, and only one of them can pass on to their children. Therefore, damaged DNA in one of the parents has a 50-percent chance of ending up in their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If one of your parents has cancer, it\u2019s a good idea to get bi-annual checkups with your doctor for cancer markers. If your doctor diagnoses the disease early enough, you may be able to treat it in time and prevent its metastasis to other regions of your body.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.    Tobacco Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This factor should come as no surprise, but those individuals who smoke cigarettes <\/a>or chew tobacco are at far higher risk of developing tongue cancer than those who abstain from the habit. Continued exposure to the carcinogens in cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco increases the chances that your cells will experience some form of mutation from absorbing all the chemicals in the smoke or tobacco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000-dangerous chemicals that can severely affect your health. Each year, smoking kills nearly half a million people in the United States. Despite the warnings on product packaging, as well as numerous anti-smoking campaigns, Americans refuse to stop lighting up and thus increase their risk of developing dread diseases like mouth, tongue, and lung cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are in a high-risk group for developing cancer, speak to your doctor about stopping smoking. There are various cessation programs available to help you find the strength to quit.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4.    Alcohol and Drug Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to tobacco, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is another consistent cause of tongue and mouth cancer. While having the occasional drink with friends might not be a problem, those people who tend to drink on a regular basis are far more likely to develop some form of cancer in the mouth, tongue, or head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development of cancer due to alcohol use comes from two known sources;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Acetaldehyde \u2013 produced in the GI tract during digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Ethanol \u2013 Found in many alcoholic beverages and spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking also interrupts the body\u2019s ability to absorb critical nutrients such as Vitamin A, C, D, and E, as well as hindering the absorption of folate<\/a> and carotenoids responsible for cellular health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol consumption, especially spirits such as vodka and whiskey, disrupt many different biological functions and weakens the immune system. Those individuals that drink daily should consult with a psychotherapist to help them reduce and eventually abstain from their habit.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5.    Poor Oral Hygiene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Did you brush your teeth and remember to floss this morning? The state of your oral hygiene <\/a>plays a significant role in protecting your mouth from contracting a disease. Those individuals that don\u2019t take care of their mouths will eventually experience some backlash from their body. In rare cases, this may include the development of tongue cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, people may develop sores in their mouth due to a recent surgical procedure on the teeth or gums. This situation may also occur when a person fits for adult braces or dentures that take time to adjust to the contours of your gums. If the new dentures irritate the gums or tongue, it may exacerbate the development of inflammation and the growth of cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to brush and floss after every meal, and use an antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash to kill any invading pathogens and prevent their spread through the mouth and sinus.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6.    Human Papillomavirus (HPV) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HPV <\/a>is the most commonly occurring sexually transmitted disease in America, with over 79-million diagnosed cases. HPV varies in its effects on the human body. In most cases, the condition will clear on its own, but aggressive forms of HPV won\u2019t go away, even with treatment. Although vaccines are available to prevent contraction of the disease, the highest risk group for HPV, are Americans in their late teens and early twenties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexual experimentation is common in this age group, and many Americans refrain from using protection during sex, allowing for the rapid spread of the disease. HPV comes in different \u201cstrains,\u201d categorized by the severity of the symptoms they produce. In most cases, common signs of HPV infection include the development of sores under the base of the tongue, as well as genital sores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certain strains of HPV increase cancer risk, so it\u2019s vital that you receive medical treatment as soon as you notice the first signs of the virus.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.    Bad Diet Choices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The food we eat plays a significant role in our health. Today’s \u201csee-food\u201d diet means that Americans are addicted to convenience foods and sugar. More than 40-million Americans eat fast food<\/a> on a daily basis, with most flooding to the drive-thru window at lunchtime. Unfortunately, eating food loaded with trans-saturated fat and empty calories leads to low-energy levels and nutrient deficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pounding your digestive tract with poor dietary choices every day will drop your immune function. As we mentioned previously, over 70-percent of the immune system resides in the gut. When you\u2019re continually avoiding healthy foods and eating junk, your GI tract pays the price and immune efficiency drops, making it easier for cancer to take hold in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensure that your diet contains healthy meals and plenty of fruits and vegetables. The additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals will keep your immune system healthy and your GI-tract functioning in an optimal state.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8.    Betel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The betel nut <\/a>is a seed of the palm tree, and it\u2019s a popular drug consumed in various countries throughout the world, from Asia to Africa, and South America. If you take a trip to the far east, you\u2019ll notice many of the locals sporting a bright-red smile \u2013 a typical sign that they\u2019ve been chewing on the betel nut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People grind the nuts into a powder and wrap it in betel vine leaves, with some people choosing to add natural flavorings or tobacco to the betel powder to improve the taste. Chewing betel nut is a pastime handed down through the generations in South-east Asia, with a vast majority of locals enjoying a chew every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chewing betel provides a stimulant effect that helps laborers get through long days in the fields. However, the nuts contain carcinogens that can lead to the development of cancer in the tongue, lips, and mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Pale Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have pale skin, then you are at greater risk of skin cancer <\/a>and many other forms of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is that pale skin is more susceptible to damage from the sun\u2019s rays. When we stand in direct sunlight, photons will travel through the atmosphere as waves. While the visible light itself is harmless, another type of wave also travels through the atmosphere \u2013 ultraviolet radiation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This effectively interrupts the electromagnetic field around us by causing tiny oscillations in charge. The wavelength of ultraviolet light is shorter than visible light, meaning that it is vibrating at a higher frequency, and this is able to cause damage to the cells when it comes into contact with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t a big problem for the most part as it will only harm the outer layer of the skin, which will be recycled eventually. The issue is that prolonged sunlight exposure might lead to damage penetrating all the way through the cell walls and into the nucleus of the cell which houses the DNA. Damage to the DNA is then what causes cancerous growth: as the DNA is used in order to provide the \u2018blueprint\u2019 for new copies of the cell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dark skin contains more pigment, which in turn are used in order to absorb UV radiation and prevent it from doing harm. Lighter skin reflects those rays, but not before they cause damage to the cells.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Sunlight Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

But what does all this have to do with tongue <\/a>cancer? Seeing as your tongue is inside your mouth, you might not think sunlight exposure or skin color would have much of a role to play!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, though, sunlight is able to cause cancer along the \u2018vermilion border\u2019 of the lip due to actinic radiation. This can even penetrate through the lip and thereby lead to an increased likelihood of tongue cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s more likely that you would suffer from skin cancer before you would experience tongue cancer through prolonged sunlight exposure, a genetic predisposition to the latter might mean that this occurs first.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Radiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Light is a form of radiation <\/a>affecting just one small part of the electromagnetic spectrum then. Likewise, that same electromagnetic spectrum is also what is responsible for everything from Bluetooth, to the radio, to X-Rays, to microwaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, X-Rays are found at the shorter end of the wavelength \u2013 being just shorter than the ultraviolet rays that cause damage from the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why X-Rays can be dangerous and why you must use protective clothing when getting multiple scans. At the same time, this is why there is some concern that the radio waves used by phones might lead to cancer \u2013 and potentially tongue cancer considering they are held up to the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As yet, however, there is no evidence that radiowaves can cause cancer.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Age<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s not true to say that age is a \u2018cause\u2019 of tongue cancer, it is certainly a risk factor<\/a>: the older you get, the more likely you are to experience the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because our cells will deteriorate as we age. As our cells split and multiply billions of times throughout their bodies, they are asked to perform a miracle with each repetition. The more this happens, the higher the risk is that you will see some error in the code, which will introduce the onset of cancer. This is also exacerbated by many other factors \u2013 greater cumulative exposure to radiation and free radicals for instance, and shortening of the telomere s that normally prevent damage to the cells.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Chronic Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chronic dehydration <\/a>may, in fact, increase the risk of tongue cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this, is that harmful bacteria in the mouth can increase the risk of tongue cancer \u2013 and in fact, it can increase the risk of all <\/em>forms of cancer. That\u2019s because the bacteria will wreak havoc on the body in general, and thereby suppress the activity of the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are dehydrated, your body produces less saliva \u2013 seeing as saliva is liquid. This is bad news, seeing as saliva is actually a natural antiseptic that the body uses to combat germs and even bad breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of the population is chronically dehydrated, and this actually increases the risk of cancers.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Mouthwash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While you shouldn\u2019t jump to any drastic conclusions at this point, there is a little concern that certain mouthwashes might increase cancer risk. This is due to the high alcohol risk, and the frequent nature of their use. In some cases, mouth<\/a> wash will contain as much as 26% alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there is also evidence to contradict this theory \u2013 so at this point the jury is out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best course of action is to use mouthwash in response to gum infections and other issues \u2013 rather than as part of your daily hygiene regimen. This is actually better for your oral health anyway, as astringent mouthwash used regularly can actually erode your enamel.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Dental Factor and Viruses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is worth noting that dental factors might also play a role in your development of tongue cancer, by which we mean things like dental prostheses, poor restorations, sharp or misaligned teeth, and even cavities and infections<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any bacteria affecting the teeth or gums will take a toll on the immune system, for instance, increasing the risk of cancer of all forms. Not only that, but anything that causes constant irritation to the inside of the mouth \u2013 such as overly sharp teeth or poorly fitted dentures \u2013 may lead to open wounds and eventually damage to the cells on a more microscopic level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any form of irritation, then you should speak with your dentist about potential solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>