Oral Cancer information for the Rochester Dental Patient
It is Oral Cancer Awareness month and here at HPS Advanced Dental Care we would like to share some important facts about oral cancer. It can be estimated that this year alone, around 42,000 adults residing within America will get a diagnosis of oral cancer. The estimate shows that around half of those people who get diagnosed will be alive within 5 years. Regrettably, this statistic has not changed in recent several years and what is causing the numbers to be so high is not that we can’t diagnose this type of cancer, but it is due to the fact that the diagnosis is often given late within the stages. As of right now (2013), there is yet to be an extensive screening program in the United States to catch the cancer in its first stages and with the advent of HPV16, it can be a great deal harder to diagnose in the beginning stages.
Who is at risk?
In previous years, oral cancer presented largely within individuals over than the age of 40, even so, this particular number is no longer the case. With the increase of HPV16 in the young generation, we are seeing a lot more cases of oral cancer within young people. Yet another factor which has been causing high instances of oral cancer is chewing (smokeless) tobacco. Even though chewing tobacco is showing improvements cancer ratings in the lungs, oral cancer will be still a high risk when making use of this particular type of tobacco.
Between men and women, the statistics reveal that oral cancer can be seen in 2 males for every female. This particular total was once 6 to 1, but with lifestyle adjustments, the total has drastically altered.
What are the risk factors?
Still one of the highest risk factors remains age, people over 40 being the highest. Yet, as mentioned above, there has lately been the shift within the age of individuals staying being diagnosed with oral cancer. Other risk factors are cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV16.
Even though alcohol as well as cigarette smoking are chemical toxins to the body, they may also be perceived as a physical risk factor. Also perceived as physical risk factors are over exposure to sunlight as well as too much exposure to x-rays. HPV can be deemed a biological factor and it will be crucial to note that merely having HPV does not necessarily signify you have cancer.
What are the symptoms as well as signs of oral cancer?
In the first stages of oral cancer, it could be hard to diagnose due to the fact that oral cancer tends to be painless and presents with fairly small physical changes. Nevertheless, here at HPS Advanced Dental Care, we are trained to search for little spots of discolored tissue, even ones which may possibly appear to be a canker sore. If you notice anything in your own mouth which does not go away right after 14 days, be certain to get in touch with us or you own dental office.
Symptoms may include pain or trouble swallowing or speaking, a lump which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, masses which look such as warts, hoarseness, or even a persistent ear ache.
Oral cancer could grow within the front of the mouth on the tongue and floor or bottom of the mouth. Men and women who commonly use smokeless tobacco could develop cancer within the region where the tobacco is held between their lip and gums. It can additionally be found within the saliva glands. More commonly, nowadays, oral cancer is developing in the back again of the throat, the bottom of the tongue and on the tonsils. Your health practitioner or dentist might want to have a biopsy performed if they feel there is anything suspicious within the oral cavity.
How is oral cancer treated?
Before any treatment can start, the right diagnosis should be made. As soon as the diagnosis is actually made, treatment can start, but treatment is not simply performed by one dentist. Along with the dentist, it is normal to visit the surgeon, oncologists, nutritionist, and rehab as well as restoration specialists. Prior to early treatment, any dental problems will be worked on so as to not promote any further complications with treatment.
If the cancer can be caught in its early stages, it will lower the probability that restorative surgical treatment will be required for disfigurement. If cancer is actually caught within its later stages, the patient might want to have restorative surgical treatment if some portion of the oral cavity has to be removed.
Oral Cancer information for the Rochester Dental Patient
If you would like more information on oral cancer in Rochester, Michigan, please call our office at 248-652-0027 or visit our website HPSDental.com.
