Currently viewing the category: "oral cancer"

Trash Mouth

By On · Add Comment · In American Dental Association, cigarette smoking, oral cancer, periodontal disease, smokeless tobacco, toxins
You know what I’ve never understood? The appeal of smokeless tobacco to anybody not sitting in a baseball dugout. Chaw, dip, spits, grizz–nasty stuff. So if you’re a spitter, here’s a post for ya: The American Dental Association wants everyone to know that smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 cancer causing toxins, and they are in the best position to see what it can do to your trap.Here’s a list of oral health problems associated with chewing the chaw:

  • Increased risk of oral cancer
  • Increased risk of periodontal (gum) disease, possibly causing tooth loss and tooth sensitivity (awesome pictures here).
  • Difficulty healing after a dental procedure.
  • Limited treatment options for dental care, such as a dental implant.
  • Staining of the teeth and tongue, as well as bad breath.
  • Reduced ability to taste and smell.
Like I said, I never did get the chewing tobacco thing. I remember tutoring organic chemistry for the Student Learning Center at UC Berkeley, when sitting one day with a Cal football player trying to explain to him the alkene reactions, I couldn’t help but being distracted by his repeatedly spitting into a Styrofoam cup. I kept thinking…“That’s gross, dude.” And I was a cigarette smoker…ha ha ha…Imagine a smoker thinking your habit is disgusting? Smokeless tobacco is definitely on the bottom of the cesspool when it comes to the hierarchy of poisoning yourself (along with methamphetamine use, or sniffing paint).
If you currently use smokeless tobacco, then…yuck! Hey it’s your health, your life, and your choice…but well, shoot, maybe you’d be interested in needle sharing, or unprotected sex with a $10 hooker. Same thing, dude.

Booze, Cancer Link in Women

By On · Add Comment · In alcohol, breast cancer, heart, liquor, liver cancer, oral cancer, rectal cancer
A drink or two a day is thought in some circles to be good for the health. Not so for women, we now know. According to a recent study, even moderate alcohol consumption causes an increased risk for several cancers in women. Youch!

A study of nearly 1.3 million British women found that as the numbers of drinks increased, so did the cancer risks. Breast, liver and rectal cancers were the most likely to develop. Throw in a few Marlboro Lights and oral and esophageal cancers went up too. Whether the women drank beer, wine, or hard liquor mattered not–the more drinks, the higher the cancer risk.

It’s true, studies have found some heart benefits to imbibing the hooch, but risk to benefit ratio must be weighed, especially in light of these findings. Healthy heart or breast cancer? Hmmm…might want to think twice about that one, especially since a good aerobic workout is better for the heart than a shot. The women with the lowest risk in the study drank fewer than two drinks per week. I know what you’re thinking, but saving them all up for an end of the month binge is probably not good either.

Listen, I’m no prohibitionist but just a little food for thought. As cancer slowly becomes the leading cause of illness and death worldwide, this is info everyone should have. So have a Martinelli’s tonight and sleep easy.

Copyright © 2013 Dr. Nick Campos - All Rights Reserved.