Oral cancer: early detection and prevention are key
Oral and oropharyngeal cancers,
now among the 10 most
common cancers worldwide,
often go unnoticed at first
because they can develop
without pain or symptoms.
But, if the cancer is detected
early and before it has spread
to other tissues, it can usually
be treated successfully.
Dental hygienists, essential primary health care professionals,
provide oral cancer screenings during appointments and will
make referrals to specialists if they spot anything unusual.
Between oral care appointments, however, we should watch
for any of the following changes in our mouths:
- Alterations to the colour or texture of gums, cheeks,
lips or tongue
- Mouth lumps or sores that do not heal within 14 days
- Chronic sore throat or cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps in the neck, including those that aren’t bothersome
- Mouth or ear pain
That’s not all. Just as we can help with early detection, we also
have a role to play in preventing oral cancers from developing in
the first place. Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sun exposure
to the lips and the human papillomavirus (HPV) are all known
risk factors for oral cancers. While modifying our smoking and
drinking habits is a necessary first step, preventing HPV infection
is proving to be even more important.
In Canada, 25% to 35% of oral and oropharyngeal cancers
are now related to HPV infection, and this rate continues to
rise. Fortunately, there are three HPV vaccines that have been
proven to be highly effective at preventing HPV-related diseases.
Health Canada recommends that everyone under the age of 27
consider getting vaccinated against HPV. In some cases, it may
be appropriate for men and women over the age of 27 to receive
the vaccine as well.
Your dental hygienist can offer tobacco cessation strategies
and other guidance on lifestyle choices to help reduce your
risk of oral cancer. By committing to a healthy lifestyle, booking
an appointment for an HPV vaccine, examining our mouths for
suspicious changes and scheduling regular dental hygiene visits,
we can protect our oral and overall health.
For more information on oral cancer and self-examination tips,
visit dentalhygienecanada.ca