Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Early Detection Info from Riverside Dental Center

Staying informed about Oral Cancer

Factors within your control:

1. Tobacco Usage. Tobacco use is one of the biggest contributing factors to oral cancer and cancers of the mouth. To avoid oral cancer, individuals need to steer clear of all forms of tobacco. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipe smoking and chewing tobacco.

2. Alcohol Consumption in Excess. Individuals who consume over 14 alcoholic beverages a week are at a greater risk. Any drinking should be done in moderation.

3. Combination of Alcohol and Tobacco. The combination of alcohol and tobacco usage can significantly raise an individual’s chances of oral cancer.

4. Unprotected Sun Exposure. Overexposure to the sun will likely increase the chances of lip cancers. Individuals should use a lip balm containing a minimum of SPF 30 when venturing out in the sun.

5. Fruits and Vegetables. A diet low in fruits and vegetables does not contain enough nutrients to protect an individual from developing various diseases including oral cancer.

6. Bedis and Betel Nut Usage. Bedis or betel nuts when smoked or chewed can contribute to oral cancer, and their usage should be avoided.

Several Early Indications of Oral Cancer

Wounds that take more than 14 days to heal
Prolonged hoarseness
Red or white patches inside the mouth or on the lips
Several Advanced Indications of Oral Cancer
Difficulty swallowing or the feeling of something caught in your throat
Numbness or tingling in the jaw
Movement changes in the jaw and tongue areas
Frequent earaches
A sore or wound located underneath the dentures that fails to heal, even after an adjustment
A thickening or lumps that form on the neck or in the mouthIf found early, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is approximately 82 percent.

If found late, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer can be as low as 31 percent.

The key to success is finding oral cancer in its early stages.