April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be approximately 54,000 new cases of oral cancer (or oropharyngeal cancer, occurring in the middle part of the throat) in 2022. The health organization also estimates 11,230 deaths resulting from the condition during this year alone.

In other words, about 30 Americans die daily from oral cancer – a disease with a cure rate of nearly 90%, when it is detected early enough.

The Oral Cancer Foundation established April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness of oral screenings and early detection. As preventative dentistry providers, Dr. Corey Hogge and the All About Teeth team are joining the Oral Cancer Foundation’s mission to help save lives!

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a broad term for any type of cancer which develops on or inside the mouth. These areas include the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, and roof and floor of the mouth.

The symptoms of oral cancer are highly noticeable compared to the several types of cancer which can develop within the internal organs. These symptoms include:

• Pain in the mouth or ears
• Pain or difficulty while swallowing
• One or more loose permanent teeth
• White or red patches inside the mouth
• A lump or other growth inside the mouth
• One or more sores on the lip or mouth that do not heal

If you are bothered by one or any combination of these symptoms for longer than two weeks, it is essential you make an immediate appointment with your doctor or dentist.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Oral Cancer?

Anyone can develop oral cancer. Most oral cavity tumors in children are benign, quite fortunately, although preadolescents, adolescents and teenagers are all still at risk. Oral cancer occurs most frequently in people over 40 years of age, with male patients outnumbering female patients by more than two to one.

Genetics do play a role in determining who will develop cancer, as approximately 5 to 10% of cancer cases result from inherited genetic mutations. Lifestyle choices appear to play the larger role in determining who will develop oral cancer, however. Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include:

• Alcohol and tobacco use. You would be well advised to avoid excessive drinking, as well as smoking any amount of tobacco. Approximately 65% of oral cancer cases in women are attributable to tobacco and alcohol use. The same is true for four out of five men.

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) exposure. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. It is estimated that about 7% of Americans currently have oral HPV, which appears to cause approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancer cases every year. Vaccinations and prophylactics are both effective at stopping the spread of HPV, but only abstinence is 100% effective.

• Sun exposure. More than 90% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. This is why 90% of lip cancers occur on the lower lip, an area that is highly exposed to the sun. The Mayo Clinic advises avoiding direct exposure to sunlight between the hours of 10am and 4pm, when rays are at their strongest. The medical center also advises wearing no less than 30 SPF sunscreen, as well as avoiding tanning beds altogether.
• The average age of people who get oral or oropharyngeal cancer is 63 years old. Only one in five oral cancer patients is younger than 55. We would give anything to be able to offer you good advice on how you can avoid aging. (At least you can stay young at heart.)

What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?

No single, standardized screening test has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from oral cancer. This is true only because medical data are insufficient, as oral cancer screenings are genuinely effective at their purpose. When their oral cancer is detected early enough, a patient has significantly greater opportunity to seek and receive potentially life-saving treatment.

When a dentist or doctor performs an oral cancer screening exam, they inspect the inside of their patient’s mouth for lumps, sores and discoloration. They may also palpate the patient’s throat and neck to detect lumps. Many medical professionals implement additional screening methods, including:

• Toluidine blue stain. Mouth lesions are coated with a special dye to indicate areas which are at higher risk of developing cancer cells.
• Fluorescence staining. Once a fluorescent dye is applied to the mouth, an excitation lamp is used to detect cancerous legions.
• Exfoliative cytology. Cells are painlessly extracted from the mouth and examined under microscope to detect for irregularities.

If a dentist or doctor discovers a sign of oral cancer, they may recommend a follow-up visit to determine whether those symptoms have persisted. They may alternatively prescribe a biopsy, wherein a small sample of tissue taken from the mouth is sent to a laboratory for testing. Once the biopsy has been performed, the doctor or dentist may refer their patient to a specialist for diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

When it comes to oral cancer, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. This April we ask you to check your mouth for signs of oral cancer – and seek professional medical help, if you suspect you have any symptoms.

If you live in the greater Logan, Utah area, then we welcome you to schedule a visit at All About Teeth today. We are standing by to answer any questions you might have about your oral health, and we always perform oral cancer screenings during our patients’ regular checkups!