Oral cancer is cancer that appears in the mouth or throat, and can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks or throat. Every year, nearly 2,000 people in the UK die from Oral Cancer. Cases are most common in those over aged 40, particularly men, yet everyone should be vigilant, even those patients without any of their own teeth. Many cases of Oral Cancer can be treated if detected early enough, and so routine dental visits are very important, as well as being aware of symptoms and examining your mouth yourself at home.
The most common causes of oral cancer are tobacco and/or alcohol use.
Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking are the most common forms of tobacco use, but in some cultures it also includes chewing tobacco, gutkha and paan.
Alcohol also increases the risk of oral cancer, and if combined with tobacco use, the risk becomes even greater.
Over exposure to sunlight can also increase the risk of developing cancer in the lips.
More recent reports have also linked the human papilloma virus (HPV) to oral cancer, and research now suggests that HPV cold soon rival smoking and drinking as a main cause of oral cancer.
Oral cancer can appear in different forms. It may appear a a mouth ulcer that does not heal normally over time. White or red patches developing can also be a sign. Lumps may develop in your mouth or jaw area which last for more than a couple of weeks. Another sign to be aware of is a hoarseness that develops and is persistent.
During a routine check up, your dentist will check all your soft tissues in your mouth, as well as looking at your throat and underneath your jaw. Anything unusual that is found is usually referred to a specialist. A small sample of tissue may be taken during a biopsy for microscopic examination. You will usually be referred and seen within a 2 week timescale. Although this is understandably a worrying time, we advise patients to try not to worry during this time, in most cases these are just precautionary procedures.
If you are worried about any of the above symptoms, please do not delay in visiting your dentist for an examination.