What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer starts in the cells of the mouth (oral cavity). The
oral cavity is made up of many parts:
lips
tongue
inside of the lips and cheeks
hard palate (roof of the mouth)
floor of the mouth (under the tongue)
gums and teeth
How is
oral cancer diagnosed?
Your dentist will conduct an oral cancer screening exam, which is
a routine part of a comprehensive dental examination. More
specifically, your dentist will feel for any lumps or irregular
tissue changes in your neck, head, face, and oral cavity. When
examining your mouth, your dentist will look for any sores or
discolored tissue, as well as check for or ask you about the signs
and symptoms mentioned above.
Your dentist might perform an oral brush biopsy if he or she sees
tissue in your mouth that looks suspicious. This test is painless
and involves taking a small sample of the tissue and analyzing it
for abnormal cells. Alternatively, if the tissue looks even more
suspicious, your dentist might recommend a scalpel biopsy. This
procedure usually requires local anesthesia and might be performed
by your dentist or a specialist referred by your dentist. These
tests are necessary to detect oral cancer early, before it has had
a chance to progress and spread.
How is oral cancer
treated?
Oral cancer is treated the same way many other cancers are
treated; that is with surgery to remove the cancerous growth
followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (drug
treatments) to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
What can I do to prevent oral cancer?
You can take an active role in preventing oral cancer or detecting
it early, should it occur.
Conduct a self exam at least
once a month. Using a bright light and a mirror, look 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 checks out to view
the inside of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the
back gums. Pull out your tongue and look at all surfaces.
Examine the floor of your mouth. 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. Call your dentist’s office
immediately if you notice any changes in the appearance of your
mouth or any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above.
See your dentist on a regular
schedule. Even though you might be conducting frequent self
exams, sometimes dangerous spots or sores in the mouth can be
very tiny and difficult to see on your own. The American Cancer
Society recommends oral cancer screening exams every three years
for people over age 20 and annually for those over age 40.
During your next dental appointment, ask your dentist to perform
an oral exam. Early detection can improve the chance of
successful treatment.
Don’t smoke or use any tobacco
products and drink alcohol in moderation. (Refrain from binge
drinking.)
Eat a well balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the
sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer on the lip,
especially the lower lip. When in the sun, use UV-A/B-blocking
sun protective lotions on your skin as well as your lips.
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