Oral Cancer
Serving Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa, Ontario
How can I prevent oral cancer?
Each time your dentist examines your teeth, he also checks your mouth for signs of oral cancer. As part of your routine home care, you should do the same. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, see your dentist:
- a persistent sore or irritation that bleeds easily and does not heal;
- red and/or white lesions;
- pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips;
- a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area;
- difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue; or a change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth completely.
Unlike other forms of cancer, the overall survival rate for cancers of the mouth and throat (called pharyngeal cancers) has not improved over the past two decades. In fact, researchers have noticed a marked decrease in the oral cancer survival rates for minorities. Early detection of oral cancer can greatly increase your chances for beating the disease.
About 75 percent of oral cancers can be linked to elective behaviours - tobacco use, including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and smokeless tobaccos, and excessive alcohol usage.
What to do?
- Eliminate risk factors. Tobacco use combined with heavy alcohol use is the primary risk factor for oral cancer
- See your dentist at least twice each year.
- Make sure s/he checks your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Practice good dental home care, including oral cancer self-exams.
