Oral Cancer Awareness: Prevention, Detection, and Early Treatment
Cancer is a scary word, but the more you know about it, the better able you will be to protect yourself and the ones you love. This is particularly true of oral cancer, which is very treatable if caught early. Unfortunately, about two-thirds of oral cancers are not caught until the late stages. You may think that if you are a non-smoker, this topic is not of concern to you. If so, please think again.
While most oral cancer patients are smokers, the fastest-growing segment of newly diagnosed cases is young, non-smoking adults. The culprit is a particular strain of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV16). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S., and HPV16 can cause a mutation that turns normal cells into malignant ones. We now know it is responsible for many new cases of oral cancer.
Signs & Symptoms to Watch For
Most of the lumps, bumps, and occasional sores you find in and around your mouth are completely harmless. But you should look out for changes that persist for more than a couple of weeks, such as:
- White or red patches.
- Ulcers and lumps anywhere in and around your face and neck.
- A persistent sore throat or hoarseness.
Most oral cancers are “squamous” (scale-shaped) cell carcinomas. The most common sites for these small lesions are the sides of the tongue and the floor of the mouth under the tongue. Cancerous lesions on the lower lip are also not uncommon.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Regular screening for oral cancer is one of the most important services provided at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan. Your regular dental checkup includes a visual and tactile (touch) examination for any signs of oral cancer or precancerous lesions.
- Biopsy: Anything that looks suspicious may be analyzed with a routine biopsy, where a small amount of tissue is sent to a laboratory for microscopic inspection. This provides a definitive diagnosis.
- Treatment: Should the lesion be cancerous, the malignant tissue will be removed. Radiation and/or chemotherapy may also be needed. When treatment occurs early, the survival rates are excellent.
Prevention
There are lifestyle choices you can make to reduce your risk considerably:
- Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol: Giving up tobacco in all forms, along with alcohol, are major preventive steps.
- Protect from the Sun: Avoid overexposure to the sun, especially on the lips.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: A high intake of fruits and vegetables is consistently found to be protective against oral and throat cancer.
- Regular Checkups: Please schedule regular checkups here at the dental office. An oral cancer screening takes just a few minutes, but it could save your life.