Mouth cancer from chewing tobacco is one of the scariest things that a dipper can imagine.
I know that the image below is extremely graphic, but you can’t hide from the truth. You can’t hide from the graphic truth that is mouth cancer from chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco and the mouth cancers you can get from the use of smokeless tobacco kill and ruin lives. It not only kills and ruins the users life, it ruins the life of your family, friends, spouse and children.
The fear of getting mouth cancer from chewing tobacco is a very real fear, it is real because the use of chewing tobacco increases your risk of mouth cancer dramatically. I know how nerve wracking it can be from personal experience, because getting mouth cancer was one of the biggest fears I had before I quit chewing tobacco.
I would constantly be worried about every bump, spot or sore throat. It was constantly in the back of my mind, no matter how I tried to forget about it. If I didn’t think that I had cancer, I was thinking about how one day I probably would get mouth cancer from chewing tobacco. But, there is hope. As impossible as it may seem, quitting chewing tobacco can be done. Quitting can drastically reduce your chances of getting mouth cancer from chewing tobacco.
Thinking About Quitting? We Can Help. Click Here.
Mouth Cancer From Chewing Tobacco
Mouth cancer from chewing tobacco is a frightening thing. It was one of the things that drove me to finally quit chewing tobacco. I was tired of worrying about getting mouth cancer from chewing tobacco, throat cancer or lip cancer. Hell, I was scared of getting cancer anywhere. And I knew that my chewing tobacco use raised my chances of getting mouth cancer from chewing tobacco dramatically.
Many people think dipping is OK and won’t have the same heath effects as smoking does. Well they are wrong. The chemicals still go into the bloodstream, and the point it enters the body (the mouth) is usually where the cancer occurs.
Some frightening statistics about mouth cancer, people who use smokeless tobacco, dip, snuff, or other chewing tobacco products are 50 times more likely to get cancers of the gums, cheek, or lining of the lips.
The definition of Cancer is the uncontrollable multiplication and growth of cells that invade the tissues of the body and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer usually appears as a sore or growth in the mouth that doesn’t disappear. Oral cancer, which includes all cancers of the tongue, lips, cheeks, floor of the mouth, sinuses, hard and soft palate, and pharynx (throat), can prove to be life threatening if is not diagnosed early and treated as soon as possible.
Mouth cancer caused by dipping or chewing can happen to anyone, although the risks go up by 2-3 times in people over the age of 50.
The most common mouth cancer related to dipping is Leukoplakia. This appears as white spots and patches that are found on the tongue, gums or cheeks. Leukoplakia is usually found in smokeless tobacco users. Studies hhave shown that roughly 75% of daily users of dipping and smokeless tobacco will get leukoplakia. This is basically a precancerous lesion that change to oral cancer. If one is dipping, it has been found that if one is dipping 8-10 times daily, it is the equivalent of smoking 30-40 cigarettes.
Research has shown that smokeless tobacco users absorb two to three times the amount of addictive nicotine than those who smoke cigarettes. (National Cancer Institute) Note: While dipping is not considered the primary cause of tobacco related cancer, nicotine is responsible for the addiction of people to tobacco products.
Smokeless tobacco is often used by ball players. A famous ball player by the name of Bill Tuttle had been using chewing tobacco for years, until he noticed a lump in his cheek. Unfortunately by the time it was removed, surgeons had to remove nearly half of his face. Reconstructive surgeons did the best that they could, but after the surgeries were complete his appearance scared his grand kids. He spent the last 5 years of his life working non stop to convince kids and athletes not to use chewing tobacco.
The point here is that mouth cancer does not have to happen, if one is willing to stop dipping or chewing tobacco. Just because you “dip” instead of smoke, does not save you from getting cancer.
If your thinking about quitting, we are an online community of quitters who can help. We have a forum, chat room, and website dedicated to helping others find freedom from chewing tobacco. And hopefully find freedom from mouth cancer from chewing tobacco. So if you think its time, head on over to our Message Boards and introduce yourself to the community. We can help, that’s why we are here.
Some Helpful Links Related to Mouth Cancer From Chewing Tobacco:
The Oral Cancer Foundation: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/
A national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities.
The Mouth Cancer Foundation: http://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/
A professional support organisation solely dedicated to helping people with mouth, throat and other head and neck cancers
