Causes of Lip Cancer
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it is common for them to wonder why. However, there is not always a clear answer to this question. Currently, doctors are not able to definitively determine what may cause lip cancer. It is thought to be a combination of genetics and environmental factors. However, listed below are a few known risk factors for developing lip cancer.
- Ultraviolet radiation
Just like the development of skin cancer, people who are outdoors a great deal are more likely to get lip cancer. The lower lip is at a higher risk of developing cancer because it is less protected from the sun than the upper lip. - Tobacco
The use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or chewing tobacco substantially increases the chance of developing lip cancer. - Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption shows a strong association with the onset of oral squamous cell cancers. Moreover, smoking and drinking heavily more than doubles this cancer risk. - Betel nut
The seed of the areca tree is often chewed by people from Southeast Asia and is known to cause lip cancer.
Factors Associated with Developing Lip Cancer
- Marijuana use
- Poor dental hygiene
- Viruses
- Poor nutrition
- Genetic Factors
Signs & Symptoms
Unlike other cancers of the head and neck, lip cancers can typically be seen or felt by a patient, dentist, or doctor. Some signs of lip cancer include:
- A lump or lesion on the lip.
This is the most common way for a cancer on the lip to be identified. If a patient has a lesion that doesn’t go away after a few weeks, or maybe even after trying some medicines, they should be evaluated for lip cancer. - Recurrent bleeding from the lip.
Growths on the lip that are cancer tend to bleed easily when accidentally scraped while brushing teeth or eating certain foods. - Numbness (e.g. in the lower teeth or lower lip/chin area).
This means that the cancer cells have invaded the nerves that control sensation or the ability to feel.
It is important to note that a patient could have one or more of these symptoms and not have lip cancer. There are several non-cancerous causes of the same symptoms. This is why it’s especially important for patients to seek medical advice from a specialist.
