April is National Cancer Control Month so I thought I'd blog a little about prevention of oral cancer. Incidences of oral cancer are on the rise and many people do not know that oral cancer claims the lives of more people than brain cancer, cervical cancer, and testicular cancer annually. The more you know about the signs and symptoms, the better equipped you will be to an early diagnosis, a key element in more effective treatment.
Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking and chewing tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV). While those are the commonly accepted risk factors, it is believed that genetics plays a role as well. Dietary factors have also been cited as a contributing factor. Because so many factors can contribute to the development of oral cancer, it is important to get an oral cancer screening at least once a year during a normal dental checkup.
Symptoms of oral cancer include:
- A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
- A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust, or small, eroded area
- A color change of the oral tissue
- A flat, painless, white or red spot or sore
- Numbness, pain, or tenderness
- A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite down
It may be hard to see all parts of your mouth which is where a trip to the dentist annually becomes necessary. Waiting for the signs to become obvious may waste valuable treatment time that could save your life.
Source: http://bestdentistnews.com/2012/04/during-april-lets-focus-on-oral-cancer-prevention/#more-793
R. Eric Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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