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Oral cancer, are you at risk?
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Often painless, oral cancer can go unnoticed
The American Dental Association has embarked on a nationwide public service campaign to boost public awareness of oral cancer and spotlight the dentist’s role in helping to stop this disease before it can begin. Oral cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth including the lips and tongue. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation more than 35,000 Americans were diagnosed with oral cancer last year.
One of the real dangers of this cancer is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. It can be painless and often appears as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally or as a red or white patch in the mouth. 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
Because there are so many benign tissue changes that occur normally in your mouth, and some things as simple as a bite on the inside of your cheek may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change, it is important to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth, which does not heal within 14 days, looked at by a professional.
Anyone can be affected by oral cancer, whether they have their own teeth or not. Smoking, chewing tobacco and heavy alcohol consumption increases your chances of getting the disease. It is more common in men than women and more likely to occur in people aged over 40 years. However, recent data indicates rising numbers of this cancer in younger age groups.
Treated in its early stages, oral cancer is curable but if not detected early, it kills around one in two sufferers. A dentist is in the best position to examine for early signs of this disease.
The routine dental examination procedure is quick, simple, and painless and requires no injection. Remember, the dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot. Many dentists offer an oral cancer screening service which aims to increase your awareness of your own level of risk for the disease and to help you reduce that risk by changing your lifestyle habits.
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