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The Importance Of Oral Cancer Screening. Oral cancer is a malignancy that arises in the oral cavity. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed each year with oral cancer, with an approximate mortality rate of 25%. The reason for the high death rate from this highly curable cancer is the lack of early detection and treatment. With oral cancer screenings, most malignancies can be detected in the early stages, while they are still highly curable. When treated in the early stage, the survival rate is as high as 95%, but drops to as low as 5% in late stages. As the disease progresses, the tumors begin to metastasize, or spread, to the lymph nodes and subsequently throughout the body. Once this occurs, the prognosis becomes poor and the chance of survival drops considerably. |
Oral cancer screening is the initial examination of the teeth and gums, as well as the entire oral cavity. The dentist is on the front line when it comes to early detection. He or she will inspect the entire mouth for Leukoplakia, which is characterized by thick, white patches on the mucous membranes in the mouth, and is a premalignant lesion that may progress over time into invasive squamous cell carcinoma, which account for 90 to 95% of all oral cavity cancers. Oral cancer screening begins as a routine part of oral care, and everyone should self-examine their oral cavity regularly for any of the following symptoms:
-Any suspicious lumps, sores or open wounds that fail to heal
-Thick or slightly raised white patches on the mucous membranes
-Bleeding or irritated gums
-Loose teeth
Any of these symptoms hould be reported immediately to the dentist or medical practitioner for closer examination. This may include medical history, visual inspection, x-rays, or biopsy (testing a sample of tissue). People at high risk of developing oral cancer include smokers, tobacco users (all types), and heavy alcohol drinkers. Some other risks include radiation or UV exposure, occupational exposure, certain viruses, chronic denture irritation, genetics, and poor dietary and oral hygiene habits.
Dentists offer many of their patients routine oral cancer screenings as a preventative measure, especially those in high risk groups or individuals who have a history of head and neck cancer. Upon examination, the dentist will inquire about any history of previous head and neck cancers or any other symptoms such as chronic earaches difficulty swallowing, or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck area or other suspicious neck masses. It is important to discuss with the dentist your risks for developing oral cancer, and any recommendations they may have for how to proceed if they detect any potential signs of disease.
