GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA
Mobile Beta
Lifestyle
Prevention, early detection crucial in battle against oral cancer
Published: June 20, 2007
Despite the gains being made in the detection and treatment of many cancers, few people realize that oral cancer is on a startling rise in the United States.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 34,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, up 11 percent over last year. An estimated half of those diagnosed this year will not survive more than five years. While people over age 40 are at greater risk, oral cancer appears in younger people, too.
This is a cancer that can be quickly invasive, and has a high rate of metastasis, or spreading to other tissues. Fortunately, with regular checkups, a physician or dentist is very likely to recognize early signs of the disease, which can be treated more effectively in its early stages.
There are also lifestyle changes that people can make that can significantly contribute to lowering the risk of getting oral cancer. Three factors seem to relate heavily to the rise in rates - tobacco use, which is responsible for up to 75 percent of cases; alcohol consumption, and human papilloma viruses, specifically the HPV 16 and HPV 18 strains, which are sexually transmitted and already linked to cervical cancer in women. Tobacco use combined with alcohol consumption, especially four or more drinks a day, is thought to increase the risk. There also seems to be a correlation between the use of smokeless tobacco products and the incidence of oral cancer.
While no one should panic if they get a canker sore or a red patch appears after they accidentally bite their lip, any lesion of the oral cavity that does not heal within 14 days should be checked by a professional, since early detection is so critical.
Individuals who have had a diagnosis of oral lichen planus should have dental checkups every six months, since persistent sores of the mouth may put certain people at increased risk. Other symptoms that should be investigated include any lump or mass that is felt within the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking or chewing; changes in the position of teeth, wart-like growths, red or white patches, numbness and hoarseness. The tongue and the floor of the mouth are among the more common sites for oral cancer, but lesions can appear in other areas as well and a dental checkup will scan the entire oral cavity for signs.
Some dentists are using a new system, called Oral CDx, to identify oral cancers at an earlier stage. The procedure uses a small brush to gather cells from the patient's mouth, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the result is positive, a traditional biopsy may be done, followed by one or more scanning procedures so that the severity of cancer can be determined and treatment options evaluated.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 34,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, up 11 percent over last year. An estimated half of those diagnosed this year will not survive more than five years. While people over age 40 are at greater risk, oral cancer appears in younger people, too.
This is a cancer that can be quickly invasive, and has a high rate of metastasis, or spreading to other tissues. Fortunately, with regular checkups, a physician or dentist is very likely to recognize early signs of the disease, which can be treated more effectively in its early stages.
There are also lifestyle changes that people can make that can significantly contribute to lowering the risk of getting oral cancer. Three factors seem to relate heavily to the rise in rates - tobacco use, which is responsible for up to 75 percent of cases; alcohol consumption, and human papilloma viruses, specifically the HPV 16 and HPV 18 strains, which are sexually transmitted and already linked to cervical cancer in women. Tobacco use combined with alcohol consumption, especially four or more drinks a day, is thought to increase the risk. There also seems to be a correlation between the use of smokeless tobacco products and the incidence of oral cancer.
While no one should panic if they get a canker sore or a red patch appears after they accidentally bite their lip, any lesion of the oral cavity that does not heal within 14 days should be checked by a professional, since early detection is so critical.
Individuals who have had a diagnosis of oral lichen planus should have dental checkups every six months, since persistent sores of the mouth may put certain people at increased risk. Other symptoms that should be investigated include any lump or mass that is felt within the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking or chewing; changes in the position of teeth, wart-like growths, red or white patches, numbness and hoarseness. The tongue and the floor of the mouth are among the more common sites for oral cancer, but lesions can appear in other areas as well and a dental checkup will scan the entire oral cavity for signs.
Some dentists are using a new system, called Oral CDx, to identify oral cancers at an earlier stage. The procedure uses a small brush to gather cells from the patient's mouth, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the result is positive, a traditional biopsy may be done, followed by one or more scanning procedures so that the severity of cancer can be determined and treatment options evaluated.
People who are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease may need to undergo severe surgical interventions or radiation procedures, and can require extensive physical reconstruction and psychological support. Some patients, sadly, may need to opt for end-of life-palliative care, aimed at providing comfort, rather than curing the disease.
For more information on oral cancer, its treatment and prevention, visit www.oralcancerfoundation.org. To learn about hospice services, contact Hospice of the North Shore at 978-774-7566, or visit www.hns.org. Elders or caregivers who need assistance finding help can start by calling SeniorCare, Inc., a one-stop portal for aging and disability services on Cape Ann, at 978-281-1750 or visit www.seniorcareinc.org.
nnn
Anne Springer is the public relations director for SeniorCare, Inc., which provides and coordinates services to elders, enabling them to live independently at home and remain part of their community. It serves elders in Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
