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How
common and how serious is oral cancer?
Oral cancer, the sixth most common cancer accounts for about
3.6 percent of all cancers diagnosed, with roughly 40,000 new cases
of oral cancer reported annually in the United States. The
vast majority of oral cancers occur in people older than 45 years,
with men being twice as likely as women to develop the disease.
The
most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the
mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, lips and gums.
If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can
spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial
and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death.
Dr. McBride and his hygienist can perform a thorough screening for
oral cancer.
What
causes oral cancer?
Scientists aren't sure of the exact cause of oral cancer.
However, the carcinogens in tobacco products, alcohol and certain
foods, as well as excessive exposure to the sun have been found
to increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Risk factors
for oral cancer may also be genetically inherited.
What
are the warning signs to watch out for?
Oral cancer—represented by red, white or discolored lesions,
patches or lumps in or around the mouth—is typically painless
in its early stages. As the malignant cancer spreads and
destroys healthy oral tissue, the lesions or lumps become more painful.
However, oral cancer is sometimes difficult to self-diagnose,
so routine dental exams are recommended.
See
Dr. McBride immediately if you observe: any sore that persists longer
than two weeks; a swelling, growth or lump anywhere in or about
the mouth or neck; white or red patches in the mouth or on the lips;
repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat; difficulty swallowing
or persistent hoarseness.
How
does a dentist or hygienist screen for oral cancer?
Dr. McBride and his hygienist will screen for oral cancer during
all routine checkups. He or she feels for lumps or irregular
tissue changes in your neck, cheeks and oral cavity, and thoroughly
examines the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for
any sores or discolored tissues.
How
is oral cancer treated?
If your dentist suspects oral cancer, a biopsy of the lesion
is required to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is required to remove
the tumors, which may cause disfiguration. Radiation therapy may
be used as part of the treatment.
What
can I do to prevent oral cancer?
Oral cancer accounts for roughly 9,000 deaths annually (about
3 percent of all cancer-caused deaths). Of all major cancers,
oral cancer has the worst five year survival rate at about 54 percent.
Because oral cancer is usually not diagnosed in its early stages,
less than half of all oral cancer patients are cured. You
can help prevent oral cancer by not smoking, using spit tobacco
and drinking excessive alcohol. When tobacco use and alcohol
use are combined, the risk of oral cancer increases 15 times more
than non-users of tobacco and alcohol products. Research suggests
that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables may safeguard against
oral cancer. Because successful treatment and rehabilitation
are dependent on early detection, it is extremely important to see
your dentist for an oral cancer screening and regular checkup at
least every six months. Survival rates greatly increase the earlier
oral cancer is discovered and treated. During all dental visits,
Dr. McBride or his hygienist will do an oral cancer screening.
Spit
Tobacco /Quitting Tobacco
Spit tobacco affects your dental health as well as the rest of your
body. If you use smokeless tobacco and have thought about
quitting, your dentist can help. In the meantime, here are
a few facts that may help you decide to join the 200 million Americans
who are tobacco-free.
What
is spit tobacco?
Spit tobacco includes snuff, a finely ground version of processed
tobacco, and chewing tobacco in the form of shredded or pressed
bricks and cakes, Called plugs, or rope-like strands called twists.
Users “pinch” or “dip” tobacco and place a wad in their cheek or
between their lower lip and gums. In the United Kingdom, users
often snort snuff.
Isn’t
it safer than smoking?
Absolutely not. Some wrongly believe that spit tobacco is
safer than smoking cigarettes. But spit tobacco is more addictive
because it contains higher levels of addictive nicotine than cigarettes
and can be harder to quit than cigarettes. One can of snuff
delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes.
About
8,000 people die every year from tobacco use. About 70 percent
of those deaths are from oral cancer. Other cancers caused
by tobacco include cancer of the pancreas, nasal cavity, urinary
tract, esophagus, pharynx, larynx, intestines and stomach.
Kids who use spit tobacco products are 4 to 6 times more likely
to develop oral cancer than non-users and tobacco juice-related
cancers can form within five years of regular use. Among high
school seniors who have ever used spit tobacco, almost three-fourths
began by the ninth grade.
How
does snuff and chewing tobacco harm my dental health?
It causes bad breath, discolors teeth and promotes tooth decay
that leads to tooth loss. Spit tobacco users have a decreased
sense of smell and taste, and they are greater risk of developing
cavities. The grit in snuff eats away at gums, exposing tooth
roots which are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and can be
painful. Sugar in spit tobacco causes decay. Spit tobacco
users also have a hard time getting their teeth clean.
What
about mouth sores?
The most common sign of possible cancer in smokeless tobacco users
is leukoplakia, (loo-ko-play-key-ah) a white scaly patch or lesion
inside the mouth or lips, common among many spit tobacco users.
Red sores are also a warning sign of cancer. Often, signs
of precancerous lesions are undetectable. Dr. McBride can
diagnose and an oral surgeon can treat such cases before the condition
develops into oral cancer. If a white or red sore appears
and doesn’t heal, see Dr. McBride immediately for a test to see
if it’s precancerous. Spit tobacco users also should see their
dentist every three months, to make sure a problem doesn’t develop.
Studies
have found that 60 to 78 percent of spit tobacco users have oral
lesions.
What
are double dippers?
Double dippers, who mix snuff and chewing tobacco, are more
likely to develop precancerous lesions than those who use only one
type of spit tobacco. Long term snuff users have a 50 percent
greater risk of developing oral cancer than non-users, and spit
tobacco users are more likely to become cigarette smokers.
How
do you kick the habit?
Dr. McBride can help you kick your spit tobacco habit. In
addition to cleaning teeth and treating bad breath and puffy, swollen
gums associated with tobacco use, he may prescribe a variety of
nicotine replacement therapies, such as the transdermal nicotine
patch or chewing gum that helps to wean addicted snuff dippers or
tobacco chewers.
Nicotine
patches are worn for 24 hours over several weeks, supplying a steady
flow of nicotine. The four brands of patches are Habitrol,
Nicoderm, Nicotrol, and Prostep. Over the course of treatment
the amount of nicotine in the patch decreases. The nicotine
patch has a 25 percent success rate. Or you may try nicotine
gum therapy on your quit day. One piece of gum is slowly chewed
every 1-2 hours. Each piece should be discarded after 20-30
minutes.
Dr.
McBride also offers a natural approach. Rexall's SmokeEase
capsules that are taken first thing in the morning. Ask him
for information, it has been useful to some of our clients.
Make
the following goals to quit and never resume chewing or dipping:
- Pick
a date and taper use as the date nears. Instead of using
spit tobacco, carry substitutes like sugarless gum, hard sugarless
candy and sunflower seeds.
- Cut
back on when and where you dip and chew. Let friends and
family know that you’re quitting and solicit their support.
If they dip and chew, ask them not to do it around you.
- Make
a list of three situations you’re most likely to dip and chew,
and make every effort to avoid using tobacco at those times.
- Switch
to a lower nicotine brand to help cut down your dose.
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