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Oral cancer is just one of many iterations of this devastating disease in need of research funding, and according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, it makes up the largest group of all head and neck cancers.
Oral cancer may be seen as rare, but 115 people will be diagnosed daily in the U.S. alone, and the disease causes about one death per hour. These rates are even higher when laryngeal throat cancers are included. When found in the early stages of its development, oral cancer garners an 80-90 percent survival rate. However, this is not often the case, as the group of diseases currently has a 43 percent five-year survival rate as well as a high amount of treatment-related complications and deaths in oral cancer survivors. Lack of public awareness surrounding risk factors and the importance of regular screenings prevents these diseases from being otherwise easily detected.
Worldwide, there are well over half a million new cases of oral cancer each year.
How to prevent oral cancer?
The uses of tobacco and alcohal are primary causes of oral cancer, as well as exposure to the human papilloma virus version 16, the same strain of HPV responsible for most cervical cancers. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, under seven percent of people contract oral cancer without an identified cause. Researchers currently believe this small percentage of the population is likely to have a genetic disposition towards the disease.
Unfortunately, the Mayo Clinic states that there is no verified way of preventing oral cancer at present. However, it is possible to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. Tobacco use exposes mouth cells to carcinogens, so avoiding or ceasing tobacco use greatly decreases risk. Also, The Mayo Clinic also notes excessive alcohol consumption can irritate cells in the mouth and make them vulnerable to the development of cancer, and suggests that men and women limit themselves to one to two alcoholic drinks daily. Other factors that may reduce one’s oral cancer risk include a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular visits to the dentist and limited exposure to the sun for the lips and face.
How is oral cancer detected?
According to The Mayo Clinic, both dentists and doctors can conduct screenings for oral cancer. Most dentists will perform a visual examination during every dental visit to screen for oral cancer, as areas that look abnormal, such as red or white patches or mouth sores, may be cancerous or precancerous. The dentist will also feel mouth tissue to check for lumps or other abnormalities. Mouth abnormalities no not always indicate cancer, but these types of screenings allow for early detection and further testing to determine whether growths are cancerous or benign.
Currently, there are technological options that may detect oral abnormalities that may indicate cancer even earlier. LED Medical Diagnostics (TSXV:LMD,OTCQX:LEDIF,FWB:LME) offers the VELscope Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System, a device that uses a wireless, handheld scope to apply tissue fluorescence visualization to find oral mucosal abnormalities early. According to the company’s website, this allows professionals to find mucosal abnormalities months or even years before they would be visible during a standard screening. This device is approved by the FDA, Health Canada and the World Health Organization, and the company’s website maintains it is the most widely used device for discovery of fungal and bacterial infections, cancer and pre-cancer, salivary gland tumors and many other mucosal conditions.
As with any other cancer, early detection is critical. As mentioned above, oral cancer patients have a high chance of survival when the disease is detected early, but that chance decreases as oral cancer signs go unnoticed. People at high risk of oral cancer should ensure they are regularly screened for the disease and should discuss all screening possibilities with their dentists and doctors.