Oral Cancer: Overview
About 50,000 people in the U.S. get oral cancer each year, 70% of them men. Oral and oropharyngeal cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat). It can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.
When it is caught early, oral cancer is much easier for doctors to treat. Yet most people get a diagnosis when their condition is too advanced to treat effectively. If you see your dentist or doctor regularly and learn how to spot suspicious changes, you’ll have a much better shot at an early diagnosis.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer may include:
A lip or mouth sore that doesn't heal
A white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth
Loose teeth
A growth or lump inside your mouth
Mouth pain
Ear pain
Difficult or painful swallowing
Source: mayoclinic.org
Lifestyle Risk Factors
It’s important to note that 25% of people who develop oral cancer don’t smoke or have other known risk factors. (my.clevelandclinic.org) However, people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco products are more likely to get oral cancer. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also increases your risk, as does spending a lot of time in the sun without using sunscreen.
HPV and Oral Cancer
People who have HPV (human papillomavirus) are more likely to get oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Many people are exposed to oral HPV in their life - about 10% of men and 3.6% of women have oral HPV, and oral HPV infection is more common with older age. Most people clear HPV within one to two years, but the infection persists in some people. Research indicates that approximately 70 percent of cases of oropharynx cancer is caused by the specific strain HPV16. It usually takes years after being infected with HPV for cancer to develop. It is unclear if having HPV alone is enough to cause oropharyngeal cancers, or if other factors (such as smoking or chewing tobacco) interact with HPV to cause these cancers. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 and 12, as well as individuals ages 13 to 26 if they haven’t received the vaccine already to prevent HPV infection and its related side effects and risk factors.
When to see a doctor immediately
Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that bother you and last more than two weeks. Your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes for your signs and symptoms first, such as an infection.
How Is Oral Cancer Diagnosed?
During your routine dental exam, your dentist will conduct an oral cancer screening exam. Your dentist knows what a healthy mouth should look like and probably has the best chance of spotting any cancer. Experts recommend getting checked every year starting at age 18, and sooner if you start smoking or having sex.
More specifically, your dentist will feel for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity. When examining your mouth, your dentist will look for any sores or discolored tissue as well as check for any signs and symptoms mentioned above.
Schedule your annual exam and oral cancer screening at Smile New Braunfels with Dr. Peck today.
