ORAL CANCER AWARENESS
By Ron Duffin, DDS

Oral cancer strikes an estimated 34,360 Americans each year.  An estimated 7,550 people will die of these cancers in a year.  The American Dental Association has embarked on a three-year nationwide public service campaign to boost public awareness of oral cancer.
 
You and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer by knowing the early signs and seeing your dentist regularly for an oral examination.  You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Oral Cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore in or around the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, cheek lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.  Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless, but testing can tell them apart.  Other signs may include:

• A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• A color change of the oral tissue
• A lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
• A change in the way the teeth fit together

It is recommended by the Oral Cancer Foundation to see your dentist for an oral screening at least once a year.  A thorough, systematic examination of the mouth and neck need only take a few minutes and can detect oral cancer at an early stage, when the opportunity for a cure is great.  Your dentist will carefully examine the inside of your mouth and tongue for flat, painless, white or red spots or a small sore.  Although most of these are harmless, some are not.  At this time, he may ask you to return for re-examination in 2-3 weeks to evaluate the area of concern or perform a simple test, such as a brush test. 

A brush test collects cells from a suspicious lesion in the mouth.  The cells are then sent to a laboratory for analysis.  If precancerous cells are found, the lesion can be surgically removed, if necessary, during a separate procedure.  It’s important to know that all atypical and positive results from a brush test must be confirmed by incisional biopsy and histology.

Today, patients must realize that a visit to the dentist is no longer about a filling, a crown or a cleaning, but is actually a matter of life and death.  Dental examinations, when properly done and which include a screening for oral cancer will save lives.

You can reach Dr. Duffin at 951-765-6232.