Ask The Hygienist

Risks and Causes
Most cancer of the mouth and throat can be prevented by avoiding known risk factors.

Tobacco and alcohol are the most important risk factors for these cancers. The best approach is never to start smoking or using smokeless tobacco. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all. Quitting tobacco and alcohol greatly lowers your risk of developing these cancers, even after many years of use.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is an important and avoidable risk factor for cancer of the lips, as well as for skin cancer. If possible, avoid being outdoors during the middle of the day, when the sun's ultraviolet rays are strongest. Reduce exposure to ultraviolet rays by wearing a wide-brimmed hat using sunscreen.

Avoiding sources of oral irritation (such as dentures that do not fit properly) may also decrease your risk for oral cancer.

A poor diet has been related to cancer of the mouth and throat. In general, eating a healthy diet is much better than adding vitamin supplements to an otherwise unhealthy diet. The American Cancer Society recommends eating a variety of healthful foods, with an emphasis on plant sources. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, as well as servings of whole grain foods from plant sources such as breads, cereals, grain products, rice, pasta, or beans. Eat fewer red meats, especially those high in fat or processed.

The Human Papilloma Virus has now been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners and is implicated in the increasing incidence of young, non-smoking oral cancer patients. This is the same virus that is the causative agent in more than 90% of all cervical cancers.

Signs and Symptoms

It is important to see a dentist is any of these conditions last for more than two weeks.

• A sore in the mouth that does not heal (most common symptom)
• A pain in the mouth that does not go away (also very common)
• A persistent lump or thickening cheek
• A persistent white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
• A sore throat, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat that will not go away
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
• Voice changes
• A lump or mass in the neck
• Weight loss
• Persistent bad breath

The Vizi-Lite exam can help detect abnormalities that might develop into oral cancer. It is a painless early detection screening tool that your dental professional can utilize to reduce the devastating impact of oral cancer on patients and their families. The procedure includes a rinse, an examination, with specially designed light technology and if necessary marking a suspicious lesion with a blue dye. Recommendation would then be to have an oral surgeon evaluate and possibly perform a biopsy.

The OralCDx is a brush biopsy test that your dentist can use on lesions in your mouth to determine if there are potentially dangerous (precancerous or cancerous) cells present. A tissue sample is obtained using a small stiff-bristled brush. The sample is then fixed onto a microscope slide and evaluated by an Oral Pathologist. The laboratory informs the dentist whether the tissue contains abnormal cells. When abnormal cells are identified by the OralCDx test, your dentist will direct you for further testing.

According to the American Cancer Society, men face twice the risk of developing oral cancer as women, and men who are over the age of 50 face the greatest risk. In fact, oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer among men. People who have had oral cancer often develop second cancers in the oral cavity or nearby areas, including the nose, throat, vocal cords, esophagus, and windpipe.

Conduct a self exam at least once a month: Using a bright light and a mirror, look at and feel your lips and front of your gums. Tilt your head back and look at and feel the roof of your mouth. Pull your cheeks out to view the inside of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the back of your gums. Pull out your tongue and look at all surfaces; look under your tongue. Look at the back of your throat. Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes in both sides of your neck and under your lower jaw. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice any changes in the appearance of your mouth or any of the signs or symptoms listed above.

See your dentist on a regular schedule.Even though you may be conducting frequent self exams, abnormalities in the mouth can be very tiny and difficult to see on your own. During your next dental appointment, ask your dental professional to perform an oral cancer exam. Early detection can improve the chance of successful treatment.

Resources:
americancancersociety.org
webmd.com
oralcancerfoundation.org