Oral Cancer
Oral Cancer
We love our dentists for all sorts of reasons. Our dentist helps our smile look its best, prevents any cavity from growing unchecked and contributes to our overall well-being. Few realize how truly important our dentist is to our health. The body and mouth are inseparably linked — if something is going wrong in our mouth, it can spread. A startling example of this is the prevalence of oral cancer.
In America, 30,000 people will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. This results in 8,000 deaths, roughly breaking down to one death every hour of every day.
What makes this figure so terrifying is that early detection for oral cancers can result in an 80 to 90 percent recovery rate. The late diagnosis of this prevalent disease is what keeps mortality rates so high.
Get the Facts
About 90 percent of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. This cancer can be located in the oral cavity (tongue, cheeks, soft palate, etc.), the lips, the tonsils and more. When the cancer starts it mutates the genes which control cell behavior. These mutated genes grow and spread and multiply at an uncontrolled rate.
Treatment
Oral cancer treatment will require several doctors encompassing several fields of medicine. Your dentist will diagnose it, and then you’ll require a surgeon, radiation oncologist (doctor trained to give X-ray treatments), oncologist (cancer doctor), rehabilitation and restorative specialist.
Am I at Risk?
It may seem obvious, but the risk factors are very clear for acquiring oral cancer: smokers and drinkers.
Cigarette smoking, cigar smoking and smokeless (chewing) tobacco are all linked to oral cancer. What are far rarer are cases of oral cancer in non-smokers. New research suggests that oral cancer can be transmitted between partners.
What is not widely known is the definitive link between smoking and drinking in oral cancer cases. Smokers who are also heavy alcohol drinkers increase their oral cancer risk significantly. These two substances act together to become even more deadly and more debilitating.
Age also plays a central role in developing oral cancer. People over 40 are at a much higher risk. When you’re a young person, your body can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. As we age, time and abuse catch up with us. A 20-year-old can smoke and not worry about the consequences. A 50-year-old can do the same, of course, but at that age a smoking habit might be so deeply engrained that quitting is exponentially more difficult.
Early Diagnosis
This is where your dentist comes in. A five minute oral cancer screening is standard in the vast majority of dental offices. The scary reality is that the average person has conditions inside the mouth that mimic the appearance of early stage cancers of the soft tissue. Biting the inside of your mouth or a loose fitting bridge can all leave small lesions or agitated spots on the inside of your mouth. Here is your clue to see your dentist if these kinds of sores develop:
“Any sore, discoloration, induration, prominent tissue, irritation, hoarseness, which does not resolve within a two week period on its own, with or without treatment, should be considered suspect and worthy of further examination or referral.”
Oral cancer is a significant byproduct of smoking. Your partner is at risk, not to mention those who come in close contact with your second-hand smoke. If unable to quit, as so many millions are, it’s imperative that you visit your dental professional twice a year for your oral cancer screening. Early diagnosis is crucial in fighting this cancer. Talk to your dentist today, and make sure you ask for your oral cancer evaluation.