Health Article

Oral Cancer: Quick Facts

• Regular dental appointments are key to catching oral cancer and precancerous conditions early – which is essential for treatment.
• Approximately 75% of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers are attributed to the use of tobacco, both smoked and smokeless. (These cancers include the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, parts for the nose, and larynx.)
• Alcohol consumption is another risk factor – and the combination of tobacco and alcohol are believed to represent substantially greater risk factors than either substance consumed alone.
• Other factors that can place a person at risk are viral infections, immunodeficiencies, poor nutrition, exposure to ultraviolet light (a major cause of cancer to the lips), and certain occupational exposures.
• Oral cancer accounts for 2-4% percent of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, but relative survival rates are among the lowest of major cancers. Only one-half the number of persons diagnosed with oral cancer are alive five years after the diagnosis.
• Incidence of oral cancer varies greatly throughout the world. In western countries, such as the United States, England or Wales, oral cancer accounts for 2-5% of all cancers. These numbers are low compared with a 40-50% rate in Southeast Asia.
• Oral cancer today occurs twice as often in males as in females. This is considerably different from the 5:1 male to female ratio of forty years ago.
• Age is a factor in oral cancer – 95% of cases occur among those over age 40.
• Symptoms of oral cancer include:
  • A mouth sore that fails to heal or bleeds easily
  • A white or red patch in the mouth that will not go away
  • A lump, thickening or soreness in the mouth, throat, or tongue
  • Difficulty chewing or swallowing food.
  • If you have any of these signs, follow up with your dentist!

Source: Centers for Disease Control, www.cdc.gov

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