Thomas S. Jennings, DDS, on how to prevent oral cancer – LIVING WELL Magazine

Oral Cancer: Are You Aware?

By Thomas S. Jennings, DDS, Colorado Springs LIVING WELL Magazine

Are you aware that more than 36,000 Americans are annually diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer? The incidence of this disease is on the rise and currently accounts for about one death per hour in the U.S. or over 8,000 people every year. New facts are being learned about oral and pharyngeal cancer, including tools for early detection that are important to be aware of, and serve as a good topic of discussion for this issue of LIVING WELL.

CAUSES

Like most cancers, those occurring in the oral and pharyngeal areas are historically a disease of those over 40 years of age. This has been attributed to the occurrence of “accumulative tissue damage” and the fact that older cells and tissues are more likely to fall behind in the ongoing task of purging disease and genetic mutation that normally occur as a part of life. As we know, uncorrected genetic mutations can lead to cells that act independently of their normal function and even begin to invade nearby healthy tissue. What is the accumulative damage and why is it an issue? Simply, it is the summation of all trauma that a particular tissue must recover from in its lifetime. The more damage that occurs over time, the more chance that cells will not be able to “keep up” in order to restore normal form and function.

What are the primary factors contributing to accumulative trauma in oral and pharyngeal cancers? Traditionally, they have been tobacco and alcohol, substances known to cause damage in many organ systems. Seventy-five percent of people over the age of 50 diagnosed with oral cancer are smokers. Smokeless tobacco, sometimes presented as being a “safer” alternative to smoking tobacco, in that it is associated less with lung cancer, actually increases the risk of developing oral cancer. And again accumulatively, those who use both tobacco and drink alcohol are at least 15% more likely than others to develop the disease. In addition to these chemical offenders one of the human papilloma viruses, a common type of virus affecting the skin and mucosal areas of the body, or HPV16, has been implicated. This virus causes direct tissue damage as well, but can also become incorporated into the genetic make-up of then mutant host cells.

PREVENTION

So, why is oral cancer on the rise even though we know so much about its cause? There are two main reasons; lifestyle choices and inadequate early detection. Even though a concerted effort has been extended to educate the public, our society is prone to overindulgence. Individuals make the decisions to drink too much, smoke too much, practice inadequate personal hygiene, and have intimate physical contact with multiple partners. This is where the mature segment of our society can have a positive influence…younger loved ones are likely ignoring the risks associated with the choices they make. Our senior population should be encouraged to speak up, as they have authority as the wiser and more experienced members of society.

About inadequate early detection…there are several reasons. Primarily it is usually asymptomatic, or is not associated with readily identifiable physical sensation or dysfunction. In addition, oral structures are a common location for multiple other innocent lesions, ulcerations, sores and the like. As a result, tumors are prone to being assumed an imitator and not addressed in a timely fashion. When that occurs, cancers have opportunity to invade deeper into nearby structures and metastasize, or spread downstream to other areas through the vascular system. These facts make oral cancer less successful to treat than others.

The first line of defense against oral cancer is regular self-examination. Special note should be made of red, white, ulcerated, and nodular areas that are not found bilaterally and do not go away within 14 days. They should be reported immediately to a dentist. Professional examinations should be done on at least an annual basis, complete with a comprehensive oral cancer screening.  Although there is no substitute for a thorough tactile and visual examination, there are several new tools that can aid in identifying suspicious areas for further evaluation. Our office routinely uses one such system, and would be happy to talk to you about it.

If you have a history of oral cancer, have noticed suspicious areas in your own mouth, or do not have a regular dental provider, we would be pleased to offer this service to you.

Thomas S. Jennings, DDS, may be reached at www.ThomasSJennings.com, or by calling 719-590-7100.