HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM AT RISK FOR ORAL CANCER?

Every year, over 50,000 North Americans are diagnosed with oral or throat cancer, which has a higher death rate than many other common cancers, including cervical cancer, testicular cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and thyroid or skin cancers. The high death rate results from the fact that most oral cancers go undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and has spread to another part of the body, most often, the lymph nodes in the neck. 

Because oral cancer is typically painless in its early stages and often goes undetected until it spreads, many patients aren’t diagnosed until they are already suffering from chronic pain or loss of function. However, if detected early, Dr. Stephanie Loller and our team at Stephanie Loller, DDS want you to know that early detection of oral cancer improves the survival rate to 80 percent or more. 

If you visit our San Jose, CA office regularly, you have probably received an oral cancer screening and didn’t even realize it. That’s because the exam is quick and painless; Dr. Stephanie Loller and our team check your neck and mouth for signs of oral cancer such as discolorations, lumps, or any changes to your tissue. Oral cancer is typically found on the tongue, lips, gums, the floor of the mouth, or tissues in the back of the tongue. 

Factors that may influence your risk of developing oral cancer include:

• Use of tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, or chewing tobacco all elevate risk for developing oral cancer. Tobacco use especially is a serious risk factor because it contains substances called carcinogens, which are harmful to cells in your mouth.
• One of the highest risk factors is a history of viral infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has been linked to many oral cancers, especially pharyngeal cancer. HPV testing is an easy swish-and-spit saliva test that takes just a few minutes and can be performed here in our office. Please call to schedule an appointment for HPV testing, or just let us know on your next visit and we can test you.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol. Those who drink alcohol regularly have an elevated risk of getting oral cancer. Alcohol abuse (more than 21 drinks in one week) is the second largest risk factor for the development of oral cancer, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
• Excessive sun exposure. Those who spend lots of time outdoors and do not use proper amounts of sunscreen or lip balm have a greater risk of developing lip cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight may also cause melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
• Your age. Oral cancer was thought to be a disease that affects older people, usually because of their longer exposure to other risk factors. However, nowadays, younger people are being diagnosed due to HPV exposure. Every age is at risk.
• Your gender. Oral cancer strikes men twice as often as it does women.
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables.

In between your visits to our office, it is critical for you to be aware of the following signs and symptoms, and give us a call if these symptoms don’t go away after two weeks.

• A sore or irritation that doesn’t disappear
• Red or white patches
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness in mouth or lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue
• A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

During your next visit, Dr. Stephanie Loller will examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. If you have been putting off a visit to our San Jose, CA office for your regular checkup, now is an excellent time to schedule one. Regular visits can be the first line of defense against oral cancer because we can identify early warning signs of the disease. Give us a call today!