Oral Cancer
The Importance of Early Detection
Your dentist has recent good news about progress against cancer. It is now easier than ever to detect oral cancer early, when the opportunity for a cure is great. Currently only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than five years.
Your dentist has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. You and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer.
Know the early signs and see your dentist regularly.
You Should Know
- Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
- It can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
- Other signs include:
- A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
- A color change of the oral tissues
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
- A change in the way the teeth fit together
- Oral Cancer most often occurs in those who use tobacco in any form.
- Alcohol use combined with smoking greatly increases risk.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the risk of lip cancer.
- More than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors.
- Oral Cancer is more likely to strike after age 40.
- Studies suggest that a diet high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions.
Regular Dental Check-ups Important
Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.
Your dentist will carefully examine all areas of your mouth. In about 10% of patients, the dentist may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore. Although most of these are harmless, some are not. Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless - testing can tell them apart. If you have a sore with a likely cause, your dentist may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination.
Dentists often will notice a spot or sore that looks harmless and does not have a clear cause. To ensure that a spot or sore is not dangerous, your dentist may choose to perform a simple test, such as a brush biopsy, which usually is painless and can detect potentially dangerous cells when the disease is still at an early stage.
If your dentist notices something that looks very suspicious and dangerous, a scalpel biopsy may be recommended. This usually requires local anesthesia. Your general dentist may perform this procedure or refer you to a specialist for it.
I have a white patch in my mouth that won't seem to go away. Is it serious?
Mouth sores may be symptoms of a disease or disorder. Canker sores and cold sores are annoying and often painful but they usually go away over time. Leukoplakia (pronounced
loo-koh-PLAY-kee-ah)-—a thick, whitish patch that forms on the inside of the cheeks, gums or tongue—is more serious because it can develop into cancer. Leukoplakias are caused by excess cell growth and are common among tobacco users. They may also be caused by an irritation such as an ill-fitting denture or chewing on the inside of the cheek. See your dentist if you have a mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. For more information and examples of mouth sores, see A-Z Topics: Mouth Sores.
How can I help prevent oral cancer?
Eliminate risk factors. Tobacco use combined with heavy alcohol use (30 drinks or more a week) is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Schedule regular dental checkups to allow for early detection and treatment if cancer develops. Take a good look at your mouth after brushing or flossing. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, see your dentist:
- a persistent sore or irritation that bleeds easily and does not heal;
- red and/or white lesions;
- pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips;
- a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area;
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue; or
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth completely.
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~ Courtesy of the American Dental Association
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