134,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancers this year. It will cause over 8000 deaths. The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to diagnose but due to the cancer being routinely discovered late in its development.
The demographics of those who develop this cancer have been constant for some time. Historically people over 40 who use alcohol and tobacco, including smokeless are the highest risk. However, it is now confirmed that in a younger group of patients including those who have never used any tobacco products a viral based risk has been determined. The human papilloma virus, particularly version 16, which has now been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners, and is conclusively implicated in the increasing incidence of young non smoking oral cancer patients.
It is important to have any sore or discolored areas of your mouth, which does not heal in 14 days to be checked. Others symptoms include a lump or mass inside your mouth or neck, difficulty swallowing, speaking, or chewing.
At Framingham Dental Group we have incorporated the use of the Velscope oral cancer screening system. It is a non invasive machine which allows us to examine the tissues of the oral cavity. It is another tool in our tool box to help with early detection. If we see something on an exam we can begin the process of diagnosis. It should be noted that most times when we see an irritation or decide to follow up on a “spot” it is negative.
If anyone has further questions or would like to speak to me about oral cancer, please call me at the office,508-872-0041.