Did you know almost 42,000 Americans are diagnosed with an oral or pharyngeal cancer every year? And that over the 
past five years oral cancer has been on the rise? The Oral Cancer Foundation notes that “mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day.” Sadly, the death rate for oral cancers is higher than that of most other types of cancers; only about 57% of oral cancer patients will be alive in five years. Early detection and treatment are critical.
Oral cancer can form in any part of the mouth or throat. Most oral cancers begin in the tongue and in the floor of the mouth. Anyone can get oral cancer, but the risk is higher if you are male, over age 40, use tobacco or alcohol or have a history of head or neck cancer. Frequent sun exposure is also a risk for lip cancer.
The causes of oral cancers vary. Among the most common causes are:
· Tobacco: All types of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, or pipes and the use of chewing tobacco and dipping snuff have been linked all linked to oral cancer.
· Alcohol: People who consume 3.5 or more drinks per day have at least a two to three times greater risk of developing oral cancers than non-drinkers.
The risk is even higher for tobacco users who drink heavily. In fact, 75 percent of oral cancers occur in people who use alcohol, tobacco, or both.
Other causes of oral cancers include:
· Sun: Like skin cancer, prolonged exposure to the sun’s damaging rays increase the odds of cancer of the lip. Using sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen can reduce the risk. Wearing a hat with a brim also can block the sun's harmful rays. The risk of lip cancer increases if you smoke.
· Diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development. A healthy diet contributes to oral health as well as overall well-being.
· Sexual transmitted disease: HPV16, a type of human papillomavirus can cause oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils). Actor Michael Douglas was diagnosed with oral cancer caused by HPV16. A very small number of other kinds of oral cancers also occur from different strains of HPV.
· Other head and neck cancers: People who have survived a first encounter with the disease have up to a 20 times higher risk of developing a second oral cancer.
Regular dental exams not only check for tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, they allow your dentist to inspect your mouth and tongue for unusual changes. These twice yearly exams are especially important if you fall into any of the risk categories for oral cancer. You’ll want to see your dentist if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
- A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in the mouth, lip, or throat
- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
- Pain in one ear without hearing loss
The dentist may use a diagnostic tool called a VELscope to help detect cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions and other growths that might not be apparent to the naked eye. The VELscope is also used to help dentists and oral surgeons determine appropriate surgical margins to cleanly remove all diseased areas.
Please contact Southfield Family Dental Center at (248) 569-6304 to schedule your next dental appointment. But sure to ask about the $35 new patient special, which includes an exam and X-rays. When you come, tell your dentist your complete medical history, including your past and present alcohol and tobacco usage. Our patients' overall health and well-being are as important to us as their winning smiles!
