How many of us are actually familiar with Oral Cancer?
While the Pink Ribbon Campaign has dramatically increased Breast Cancer awareness, there
seems to be little awareness for an equally devastating disease: Oral Cancer. It may surprise you
to learn that Oral Cancer is the eighth most common form of Cancer as well as the most costly
form to treat.
Though many of us know that the use of tobacco greatly increases our risk to develop the disease
-accounting for nearly 80% of Oral Cancer patients - most remain unaware that heavy alcohol
consumption is also a high risk contributor for developing Oral Cancer, as well as contracting
HPV.
In recent medical advancements, the Oral Cancer Foundation has issued more evidence that
Human Papillomavirus (commonly referred to as HPV) is, “The leading cause of oropharyngeal
cancers,” and according to their research, has proven, “HPV oral and oropharyngeal cancers are
harder to discover than tobacco related cancers because the symptoms are not always obvious
to the individual who is developing the disease, or to professionals that are looking for it,” (*1).
Because symptoms are nearly undetectable, dentists and doctors encourage annual screenings in
order to aid early detection, as well as keeping one step ahead of symptom development.
An interesting statistic according to the Oral Cancer Foundation:
- White, non-smoking males age 35 and 55 are most at risk; 4 to 1 over females, (*1).
But this does not mean other gender, race, or age groups are risk free. In fact, you may ponder
the importance of HPV’s link with Oral Cancer, and that is the relativity and accessibility of the
disease association; “Sexual contacts, both conventional and oral, are means of transferring the
HPV virus through direct skin to skin contact,” (*1) and therefore, it is highly suggested every
person schedule annual Oral Cancer screenings.
Understanding Oral Cancer risk factors and seeking education promotes success of early
detection and increases the likelihood a diagnosis is treated immediately.
Please remember that Dr. L. Stephen Vaughan encourages each and every patient to stay one
step ahead and seek annual Oral Cancer screenings. Please note: symptoms of which to be
cautious are: unhealed sores/ulcers, difficulty or pain when swallowing, lumps in mouth or felt
along neck, and numbness or pain in mouth or lips, etc …
(*1) http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/#sthash.lDea3zfS.dpuf
