Oral Cancer Questions answered for Clinton Township dental patients
Oral Cancer Awareness month is here and at HPS Advanced Dental Care we would like to offer you some significant information about oral cancer. It is actually estimated that this year alone, about 42,000 individuals living in America will receive a diagnosis of oral cancer. Only about half of those men and women who have just been diagnosed will be alive within five years. Regrettably, this quantity has not changed within recent decades, this is because the diagnosis is generally given late within the later stages, not because we are unable to diagnosis the form of cancer. Today (2013), the extensive screening program needed to catch cancer in it’s early stages is not the United States and with HPV16 on the rise, it will be much harder to diagnose early on.
Who can get oral cancer?
It used to be that oral cancer presented in people mostly over the age of 40, however this is no longer the truth. With the increase in HPV16, we are seeing significantly more and more cases of oral cancer in younger dental patients. Yet another factor that has been causing higher instances of oral cancer can be the use of chewing or smokeless tobacco. Even though smokeless tobacco is actually showing improvements in the lungs for cancer ratings, oral cancer is a high risk when utilizing this form of tobacco.
Between the sexes, the statistics prove that oral cancer is actually identified in two males for every female. This particular quantity was once 6 to 1, however with lifestyle adjustments, the total has drastically been altered.
What are the risk factors?
At the highest risk are individuals over the age of 40. Having said that, as mentioned above, there has recently been a shift in the age of people being impacted with oral cancer. Other risk factors to think about are tobacco, alcohol consumption and HPV16.
Alcohol and tobacco are chemical toxins to the body but they may also be thought of as a physical risk factor. Also falling under the physical risk category is exposure to too a lot sunlight as well as over exposure to x-rays. HPV is known as a biological factor and it should be noted that a diagnosis of are HPV infection does not necessarily signify a cancer diagnosis.
What are the symptoms as well as signs of oral cancer?
In the early stages of oral cancer, it can be difficult to diagnose as a result of oral cancer being painless and having very small physical changes to the oral cavity. Here at HPS Advance Dental Care, we are trained to look for tiny spots of discolored tissue, even ones which could appear as a typical canker sore. If you happen to notice something in your mouth that does not go away after 14 days, be sure to contact us or your own dental office.
Symptoms can be masses which look like warts, a lump that can be felt within the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty swallowing or speaking, hoarseness, numbness to the mouth or face, or an ongoing ear ache.
Oral cancer can be found in the front of the mouth on the tongue as well as the floor or bottom of the mouth. Individuals who commonly use smokeless tobacco can present with cancer in the area where the tobacco is actually held in between their lip and gums. The cancer can also be found in the saliva glands. Today, we commonly see oral cancer developing in the back of the throat, the base of the tongue and on the tonsils. Your own health practitioner or dentist may wish to have a biopsy done if they think there may be anything suspicious within your oral cavity.
What is the treatment for oral cancer?
In order to start treatment, a proper diagnosis must be given. After diagnosis, treatment can begin and it is not normally done by one doctor. In addition to your dentist, it is common to visit a surgeon, oncologists, nutritionist, as well as rehab and restoration specialists. Prior to beginning treatment, any dental issues will be taken care of and if needed, removed so as not to induce any further complications during treatment.
If the cancer is caught within its beginning stages, the likelihood of restorative surgery being needed for disfigurement is low. However, if the cancer is not caught in it is further along, the patient might have to have restorative surgery if some part of their oral cavity had to be removed.
Oral Cancer Questions answered for Clinton Township dental patients
If you have further questions regarding oral cancer in Clinton Township, Michigan please visit our website HPSdental.com or call our office at 248-652-0024.
