April is oral cancer awareness month. Early detection of oral cancer significantly increases long term survival.
Routine oral cancer screenings are recommended at least once every three years in adults over the age of 20 and yearly in adults over 40.
Every dental appointment is an opportunity to be screened. If you go to the dentist regularly and are not sure if your dental professional is doing one just ask! We have all been trained to do it.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 54,000 new cases and 11,230 deaths in this year due to oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide.
For most mouth cancers, more than 75 % survive their cancer for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed, around 55% survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. Why does the survival rate drop after 5 years? Mostly because it is not found in an early stage.
Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they can’t predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. No one can’t tell you how long you will live, or what your outcome will be, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.
There are so many factors that contribute to each individual’s cancer no matter what type it is.
Where do these numbers come from?
The American Cancer Society relies on information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to provide survival statistics for different types of cancer.
Some populations are at greater risk than others. According to the University of Chicago. Chicago residents from Southside communities are at higher risk and die from oral cancer at a higher rate than others. This is especially true for males living in these communities. For these reasons it is especially important these residents have an oral cancer screening.
Understanding the numbers
- These numbers apply only to the stage of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. They do not apply later on if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back after treatment.
- These numbers don’t take everything into account. Survival rates are grouped based on how far the cancer has spread, but your age and overall health, how well the cancer responds to treatment, and other factors will also affect your outlook.
- People now being diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer may have a better outlook than these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least 5 years earlier.
So if you are newly diagnosed ask questions, find the root cause if possible and change your habits. Diet, smoking,and get enough sleep. We heal in the rest and restore the phase of sleep known as REM.
Before a screening, make sure any dentures or dental appliances have been removed. Please be aware that there are two parts of the screening – a visual exam and a physical exam.
Types of Head and Neck Cancers:
- Oral Cavity – tongue, gums, floor of mouth
- Throat or oropharyngeal – often related to Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Cancer can also arise from the salivary glands, lymph nodes (lymphoma) or bone/soft tissues (sarcoma)
- Squamous cell is what I have seen the most of in my career and it star on the side of the tongue
Possible Head and Neck Cancer Symptoms:
- Lumps, bumps, ulcers, infections that do not go away for more than two weeks need to be examined
- A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t go away
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Continuous sore throat
- Problems with swallowing and eating
- A white or red patch on side or base of the tongue, floor of the mouth, oropharynx-tonsil area, gum or surrounding a tooth
- Bleeding sores
Risk Factors:
- Poor nutrition
- Overall poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco and alcohol use (especially if used simultaneously)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Chewing betel quid (most commonly occurring in Southeast Asia and South Asia)
- Being assigned male at birth
- Excess body weight
- Being over the age of 55
- Prolonged exposure to Ultraviolent (UV) light
Be mindful of symptoms
Your mouth is one of your body’s most important early warning systems. It’s important for patients to be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and to see a dental professional if they do not improve or disappear after two-three weeks:
- a sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t go away
- red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
- lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth
Treatments
Various treatments are available for head and neck cancers and are decided upon by a multi-disciplinary cancer treatment team, which includes oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and others. Treatments may include surgery to remove a tumor and surrounding tissue, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or some combination of the above. There are also holistic treatments depending on what treatment you resonate with. I can tell you from personal experience you have to sit and think on it. You can ask opinions but in the end it is ultimately your decision. One you will have to live with. I have so much support but also felt so alone at the same time. I don’t wish cancer on anyone.
Ask alot of questions even the ones you feel may be stupid. There are no stupid questions. You are fighting for your life.
Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
Here are some questions to get you started.
When you’re told you have cancer
- What kind of cancer do I have?
- Where is my cancer located?
- What stage(extent) is my cancer ?
- What does that mean?
- Has my cancer spread beyond where it started?
- Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
- Do I need to see other doctors or health professionals?
- Has my cancer been tested for the human papillomavirus (HPV)?
- If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment, who can help me?
- Is there a clinical trial available you think I should know about?
When deciding on a treatment plan
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- What are my treatment options? Which do you recommend and why?
- What is the goal of the treatment?
- Will this treatment affect the way I look? If so, what are my options for reconstruction?
- How much time will I need to be off of work?
- Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
- What if I have transportation problems getting to and from treatment?
- What are the chances I can be cured of this cancer with these treatment options?
- How quickly do I need to decide on treatment?
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- Will I need a feeding tube before starting treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
- Will treatment affect my daily activities?
- Can I still work full time?
- What risks and side effects can I expect from the treatments you suggest? How long are they likely to last?
- What are my options if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer comes back (recurs)?
During treatment
- How will I know if the treatment is working?
- Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
- What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
- How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
- Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
- Are there any limits on what I can do or what I can eat?
- Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do, and how often?
- Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
- What if I need social support during treatment because my family lives far away?
- I would quit smoking but if this is a concern ask the question
After treatment
- Will I need a special diet after treatment?
- Are there any limits on what I can do?
- What symptoms should I watch for?
- What kind of exercise should I do now?
- What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
- How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
- When should my next test be done?
- Will I need any blood tests?
- How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
- What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
- How can I reach you in an emergency?
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times so you can plan your work or activity schedule.
If you have never had an oral cancer examination, there is no better time to schedule one than during Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April. When you do, be sure to ask that this examination be made a routine part of all of your future dental check-ups.
Follow your gut instincts, we have them for a reason. If I listened to the Dr when he told me all my tests were normal, I would have been in a much later stage with my breast cancer. I am very grateful I am a healthcare provider and was talking about bleeding gums not being normal. I followed my own advice.
Be your own advocate, your life may depend on it.
A healthy mouth is a healthy body and a longer, happier life.
https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/april-is-oral-cancer-awareness-month/
April is oral cancer awareness month. Early detection of oral cancer significantly increases long term survival.
Routine oral cancer screenings are recommended at least once every three years in adults over the age of 20 and yearly in adults over 40.
Every dental appointment is an opportunity to be screened. If you go to the dentist regularly and are not sure if your dental professional is doing one just ask! We have all been trained to do it.
According to the American Cancer Society, there will be about 54,000 new cases and 11,230 deaths in this year due to oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer. Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide.
For most mouth cancers, more than 75 % survive their cancer for 1 year or more after they are diagnosed, around 55% survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. Why does the survival rate drop after 5 years? Mostly because it is not found in an early stage.
Keep in mind that survival rates are estimates and are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had a specific cancer, but they can’t predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. No one can’t tell you how long you will live, or what your outcome will be, but they may help give you a better understanding of how likely it is that your treatment will be successful.
There are so many factors that contribute to each individual’s cancer no matter what type it is.
Where do these numbers come from?
The American Cancer Society relies on information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, maintained by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), to provide survival statistics for different types of cancer.
Some populations are at greater risk than others. According to the University of Chicago. Chicago residents from Southside communities are at higher risk and die from oral cancer at a higher rate than others. This is especially true for males living in these communities. For these reasons it is especially important these residents have an oral cancer screening.
Understanding the numbers
- These numbers apply only to the stage of the cancer when it is first diagnosed. They do not apply later on if the cancer grows, spreads, or comes back after treatment.
- These numbers don’t take everything into account. Survival rates are grouped based on how far the cancer has spread, but your age and overall health, how well the cancer responds to treatment, and other factors will also affect your outlook.
- People now being diagnosed with oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer may have a better outlook than these numbers show. Treatments improve over time, and these numbers are based on people who were diagnosed and treated at least 5 years earlier.
So if you are newly diagnosed ask questions, find the root cause if possible and change your habits. Diet, smoking,and get enough sleep. We heal in the rest and restore the phase of sleep known as REM.
Before a screening, make sure any dentures or dental appliances have been removed. Please be aware that there are two parts of the screening – a visual exam and a physical exam.
Types of Head and Neck Cancers:
- Oral Cavity – tongue, gums, floor of mouth
- Throat or oropharyngeal – often related to Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Cancer can also arise from the salivary glands, lymph nodes (lymphoma) or bone/soft tissues (sarcoma)
- Squamous cell is what I have seen the most of in my career and it star on the side of the tongue
Possible Head and Neck Cancer Symptoms:
- Lumps, bumps, ulcers, infections that do not go away for more than two weeks need to be examined
- A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t go away
- Jaw pain or swelling
- Continuous sore throat
- Problems with swallowing and eating
- A white or red patch on side or base of the tongue, floor of the mouth, oropharynx-tonsil area, gum or surrounding a tooth
- Bleeding sores
Risk Factors:
- Poor nutrition
- Overall poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco and alcohol use (especially if used simultaneously)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Chewing betel quid (most commonly occurring in Southeast Asia and South Asia)
- Being assigned male at birth
- Excess body weight
- Being over the age of 55
- Prolonged exposure to Ultraviolent (UV) light
Be mindful of symptoms
Your mouth is one of your body’s most important early warning systems. It’s important for patients to be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and to see a dental professional if they do not improve or disappear after two-three weeks:
- a sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t go away
- red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
- lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth
Treatments
Various treatments are available for head and neck cancers and are decided upon by a multi-disciplinary cancer treatment team, which includes oral and maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and others. Treatments may include surgery to remove a tumor and surrounding tissue, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or some combination of the above. There are also holistic treatments depending on what treatment you resonate with. I can tell you from personal experience you have to sit and think on it. You can ask opinions but in the end it is ultimately your decision. One you will have to live with. I have so much support but also felt so alone at the same time. I don’t wish cancer on anyone.
Ask alot of questions even the ones you feel may be stupid. There are no stupid questions. You are fighting for your life.
Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.
Here are some questions to get you started.
When you’re told you have oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer
- What kind of cancer do I have?
- Where is my cancer located?
- What stage(extent) is my cancer ?
- What does that mean?
- Has my cancer spread beyond where it started?
- Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
- Do I need to see other doctors or health professionals?
- Has my cancer been tested for the human papillomavirus (HPV)?
- If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment, who can help me?
- Is there a clinical trial available you think I should know about?
When deciding on a treatment plan
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- What are my treatment options? Which do you recommend and why?
- What is the goal of the treatment?
- Will this treatment affect the way I look? If so, what are my options for reconstruction?
- How much time will I need to be off of work?
- Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
- What if I have transportation problems getting to and from treatment?
- What are the chances I can be cured of this cancer with these treatment options?
- How quickly do I need to decide on treatment?
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- Will I need a feeding tube before starting treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
- Will treatment affect my daily activities?
- Can I still work full time?
- What risks and side effects can I expect from the treatments you suggest? How long are they likely to last?
- What are my options if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer comes back (recurs)?
During treatment
- How will I know if the treatment is working?
- Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
- What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
- How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
- Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
- Are there any limits on what I can do or what I can eat?
- Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do, and how often?
- Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
- What if I need social support during treatment because my family lives far away?
- I would quit smoking but if this is a concern ask the question
After treatment
- Will I need a special diet after treatment?
- Are there any limits on what I can do?
- What symptoms should I watch for?
- What kind of exercise should I do now?
- What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
- How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
- When should my next test be done?
- Will I need any blood tests?
- How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
- What will my options be if the cancer comes back?
- How can I reach you in an emergency?
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times so you can plan your work or activity schedule.
If you have never had an oral cancer examination, there is no better time to schedule one than during Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April. When you do, be sure to ask that this examination be made a routine part of all of your future dental check-ups.
Follow your gut instincts, we have them for a reason. If I listened to the Dr when he told me all my tests were normal, I would have been in a much later stage with my breast cancer. I am very grateful I am a healthcare provider and was talking about bleeding gums not being normal. I followed my own advice.
Be your own advocate, your life may depend on it.
A healthy mouth is a healthy body and a longer, happier life.
https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/april-is-oral-cancer-awareness-month/
