When you go for a checkup at your dental office, your dentist is not only assessing the general health of your gums and teeth. Dentists are trained in the diagnosis of oral cancer, an extremely important component of a routine dental exam.
Oral Cancer Can Be Deadly
I hate to sound so grim, but this is an important truth for everyone to know. Most are not aware of the fact that the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is approximately 50 per cent. States Dr. Seung-Hee Rhee, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, “If it is not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can be deadly. The earlier the cancer is detected and treated, the better the outcome.” Continues Rhee, “Treatment for advanced stage oral cancer may lead to chronic pain, loss of function, permanent facial and oral disfigurement following surgery.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, more than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually, with more than 8,000 of these cases resulting in death.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. It can develop anywhere in the mouth or the oropharynx which is the middle part of the pharynx or throat. Most commonly, it begins on the tongue and the floor of the mouth in the flat or squamous cells. It is for this reason that these types of cancers are called squamous cell carcinomas.
When oral cancer spreads or metastasizes (which it usually does), it most often travels through the lymphatic system, often showing up in the lymph nodes in the neck. It can also spread to the lungs and other parts of the body, creating malignant tumors.
Are Some People More Likely Than Others To Get Oral Cancer?
Yes, there are factors that put individuals at higher risk:
- tobacco use (smoking, sniffing and chewing)
- alcohol, with the risk increasing proportionately to consumption
- tobacco and alcohol use together increases one’s odds significantly
- sun exposure on the lips
- a history of head and neck cancer
What Are Some Of The Symptoms?
Possible warning signs of oral cancer can include:
- bleeding sores
- sores that do not heal
- lumps or thick, hard spots
- soreness or feeling that something is caught in the throat
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
- ear pain
- difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- hoarseness
- numbness of the tongue
- changes in the way teeth fit together
If you have noticed any of these symptoms, do not wait. Go and see your dentist immediately. Furthermore, if you are due or overdue for a checkup, don’t put it off, because you may not be able to see what your dentist can.
Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
