Oral Cancer Awareness for Shelby Township, Michigan
Oral Cancer Awareness is here and at HPS Advanced Dental Care we would like to provide you with some beneficial content about oral cancer. It has been estimated that this particular year alone, about 42,000 adults residing within America will receive a diagnosis of oral cancer. Around half of those people who have been diagnosed will not be alive in five years. Unfortunately, this total has not changed within recent years and the reason the numbers are so high is actually not as a result of not being able to diagnose this type of cancer, rather it is actually as a result of the diagnosis being given late in the stages. As of today (2013), there is not an extensive screening course within the United States to capture the cancer in its early stages and with the advent of HPV16, it can be a lot harder to diagnose in the early stages.
Who could get it?
In previous years, oral cancer presented mostly within people over the age of 40, nonetheless, this is no longer the situation. With the recent increase in HPV16 in the young generation, we are seeing more cases of oral cancer in young people. An additional factor that has been creating higher instances of oral cancer can be the use of smokeless or chewing tobacco. Even though chewing tobacco has been showing improvements in the lungs for cancer ratings, oral cancer is still a high risk when utilizing this particular type of tobacco.
Among men and women, the statistics reveal that oral cancer is identified in 2 males for every female. This number used to be 6 to 1, but with lifestyle changes, the quantity has drastically changed.
What are the risk factors?
One of the major risk factors is still age, people over the age of 40 are the highest risk. Nevertheless, as mentioned earlier, there has recently been a shift in the age of adults getting diagnosed with oral cancer. Other risk factors include cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV16.
While alcohol and cigarette smoking are chemical toxins to the human body, they could additionally be thought of a physical risk factor. Also, deemed physical risk factors are exposure to a great deal of sunlight and too much exposure to x-rays. HPV can be thought of as a biological factor and it can be beneficial to note that just because you are infected with HPV does not necessarily mean you have cancer.
What are the symptoms and signs of oral cancer?
In the beginning stages of oral cancer, it could be tough to diagnose because typically speaking, oral cancer is actually painless and there are extremely small physical changes. Having said that, here at HPS Advanced Dental Care, we are trained to search for little spots of discolored tissue, even spots that present like a canker sore. If you notice something within your mouth which does not go away in 14 days, make sure to get in touch with us or your dental office.
Symptoms can include a lump that may be felt inside the mouth or neck, masses which look like warts, hurting or trouble swallowing or speaking, hoarseness, numbness to the mouth or face, or even a persistent ear ache.
Oral cancer may produce in the front of the mouth on the tongue as well as the floor or bottom of the mouth. Individuals who commonly utilize smokeless tobacco may grow cancer in the location where the tobacco can be held in between their lip and gums. It can also be found in the saliva glands. Common nowadays, oral cancer is actually developing within the rear of the throat, the bottom of the tongue as well as on the tonsils. Your physician or dentist may have you have a biopsy if they feel there is anything suspicious in your oral cavity.
What is the treatment for oral cancer?
Prior to any treatment beginning, the proper diagnosis has to be given. As soon as the diagnosis is given, treatment can start and treatment is usually not done by 1 person alone. Along with the dentist, it is common to see a surgeon, oncologists, nutritionist, and rehab as well as restoration specialists. Prior to starting treatment, any dental problems will be treated and if required, removed so as to not cause any further complications during treatment.
If the cancer is actually caught within its early stages, it is less likely that restorative surgery will be needed for disfigurement. If the cancer is caught in later stages, it is possible to need restorative surgical treatment if some part of the oral cavity must be removed.
Oral Cancer Awareness for Shelby Township, Michigan
For more information on Oral Cancer Awareness in Shelby Township, Michigan, visit our website HPSdental.com or call our office at 248-652-0024.
