Routine, careful examination for oral and pharyngeal cancer, in addition to an updated health history, can easily be achieved during a regular dental visit. Visual and manual palpation of tissues along with some new technologies can aid in early detection. Your dentist and/or dental hygienist should do an oral cancer exam on your regular hygiene visits. This exam should be done visually and with manual palpation of the tissues of the mouth.

Often new technologies like lights can be used to assist in detection. The stage at which an oral or pharyngeal cancer is diagnosed is critical to the course of the disease. When detected at its earliest stage, these cancers are more easily treated.

Facts About Oral Cancer

Incidence and Mortality
• Oral and pharyngeal cancer strikes an estimated 39,000 Americans each year. An estimated 8,000 people die of these cancers annually.
• The disease occurs more than twice as often in men as in women.
• The difference between races in oral and pharyngeal cancer is negligible.
• An estimated 1 in 92 adults will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer in their lifetime.
• The median age at diagnosis is 62 years (that figure may drop to 52 to 58 years for people who have oral or pharyngeal cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.)

Risk Factors
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• Heavy use of tobacco and alcohol together greatly increases the risk of developing oral and pharyngeal cancer
• HPV (human papilloma virus) infection is associated with oropharyngeal cancer
• Age: the risk greatly increases after 44 years
• Gender: men are twice as likely to develop oral and pharyngeal cancer
• Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is a particular risk factor for lip cancer
• Nutrition: a diet rich in vegetables and fruits is associated with a lower incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer

Signs and Symptoms
• Leukoplakia (white patch) or erythroplakia (red patch)
• A lump or thickening of the oral soft tissues, or swelling that affects the fit and comfort of dentures
• Patients may complain of: difficulty chewing or swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue; a sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat; numbness; hoarseness or a change in the voice.
• Signs and symptoms that persist for two weeks or more merit further investigation, such as a biopsy or referral to a specialist.

It is important to have regular visits with your dentist and hygienist to check your oral health including an oral cancer examination. Early detection and treatment is the biggest factor in survival.

The statistics in this article are from the American Dental Association website (www.ada.org). Dr. Robert A. Gallegos is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, he is on the faculty of Spear Education, a member the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Dental Association. Dr. Gallegos practices dentistry in Middleburg, VA. www.MiddleburgSmiles.com.