Benefits Spotlight: What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer

From Delta Dental

 

Every hour, an average of one person in the United States dies of oral or pharyngeal cancer. Although the survival rates have increased since the 1960s, they are still relatively low, with only 60 percent of people diagnosed with the disease expected to live at least five years.

“Oral cancer” refers to cancer occurring on the lips, mouth, tongue or throat. Cancer on the base of the tongue and throat area is becoming more common. This type of oral cancer is known as oropharyngeal cancer.

Whom It Affects
Oral cancer is twice as common in men as in women, and African American men are at the highest risk. Although the cancer has traditionally been associated with people over 40, its diagnosis among young people has been on the rise — particularly in those who have human papillomavirus (HPV). In the past 20 years, the biggest increase in oral cancer has been due to HPV infections, especially among men. About 7 percent of U.S. adults have oral HPV.

Know Whether You’re At Risk
Alcohol consumption and tobacco use are two of the major risk factors for oral cancer. If you smoke and drink, your risk multiplies because alcohol increases the absorption of the toxic chemicals in tobacco. Sun exposure, a family history of cancer and a diet low in fruits and vegetables have also been linked to oral cancer. However, according to the American Dental Association, a quarter of people with oral cancer had no known risk factors prior to getting the disease.

Treatment Options
Early diagnosis provides the best outlook for oral cancer patients, so regular dentist visits are important. Several treatment options are available, depending on the size, location and extent of the disease:

• Surgery removes the cancerous tumors from the oral cavity and lymph nodes.
• Radiation uses high-energy radiation (like X-rays) to kill cancer cells, prevent disease from spreading and may also reduce a tumor before surgery.
• Chemotherapy uses chemicals to kill cancer cells and prevent the spread of the disease. Chemo may also be used along with radiation to increase effectiveness, or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells left behind.
  

How To Protect Yourself
Using a mirror, check your mouth at least once a month for any unusual patches, painful sores or lumps that won’t heal and report them to your dentist. Other symptoms include difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your jaw. You can take a major step in lowering your risk by quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol intake. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than nonsmokers, but smokers who quit cut that risk in half in just five years. Lowering the amount of daily alcohol intake will also lower your risk of oral cancer. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and applying lip balm with sunscreen, before exposure to sun, may also be beneficial in lowering your risk.