The thought of oral cancer is scary, and it has one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all major cancers, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Early detection plays a pivotal role in survival and quality of life. When detected early, the probability of surviving from oral cancer is remarkably better than for most other cancers.
Recently, I spoke with our Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Keith Libou about oral cancer – signs and symptoms, what an oral cancer screening is like, and why visiting your dentist for routine care is key to early detection.
- Why are routine dental visits vital to detecting oral cancer earlier?
Dr. Keith: Oral cancer is often painless and without symptoms in its early stages. It is frequently located in areas of the mouth that are not easily visible, and screening for oral cancer is something your dentist should perform during your routine dental examinations. When identified and treated early, oral cancers are much more likely to have a successful prognosis. Unfortunately, the long-term prognosis for patients with more advanced oral cancer is much less positive.
- What is an oral cancer screening like?
Dr. Keith: An oral cancer screening should occur at every checkup. The dentist will inspect your lips, tongue, floor/roof of the mouth, and inside of your cheeks visually and by feel. Your dentist will typically ask you to stick out your tongue and grasp it in a square of cotton gauze to fully inspect it. Your dentist will also pull your lips up and down to inspect the insides of your lips. Dentists often check the lower jaw and throat from the outside, using their hands to check for any lumps, bumps, or anything that seems unusual. When patients are at higher risk for oral cancer – such as having a history of oral cancer, or they drink or smoke heavily – dentists may use illumination/fluorescence to help identify potential suspected oral cancer lesions.
- How is oral cancer typically diagnosed?
Dr. Keith: General dentists typically refer patients with suspect lesions to an oral surgeon for evaluation. This evaluation typically involves a biopsy and sending the sample to a laboratory. There is also a procedure called a brush biopsy, which involves swabbing a suspect lesion and sending the sample to a lab. Delta Dental typically covers the dentist’s fees for the brush biopsy, but not the laboratory component.
- What are some signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
Dr. Keith: They vary but may include a lip or mouth lesion that doesn’t heal, white or red lesions inside a patient’s mouth or inside their lips, a growing lump in a patient’s mouth or throat, mouth pain, loose teeth, ear pain, and painful swallowing.
- How is oral cancer treated?
Dr. Keith: It typically involves surgical removal of the cancerous lesion and adjacent tissue. Depending upon the extent and stage of the oral cancer, it could also include surgical removal of sections of the jaw, chemo and/or radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and even immunotherapy for patients with advanced oral cancers that don’t respond to standard treatment. Reconstructive options may follow treatment, based on a patient’s specific circumstances.
- What helps lower a person’s risk of developing oral cancer?
Dr. Keith: Smoking and alcohol consumption increase the chances of oral cancer. Smokers are 10 times more likely to develop oral cancer. Those who smoke and drink alcohol heavily have 300 times the risk. Also, oral HPV infection is a significant risk factor for oral cancer. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination for children 11-12 years old, and for individuals through age 26 if they have not already been vaccinated for HPV.
- If someone has anxiety about visiting their dentist to get an oral cancer screening, what tips can you share to help ease that anxiety?
Dr. Keith: The most important thing to know is that an oral cancer screening is not painful. It involves a dentist looking around your mouth and neck visually and feeling certain tissues with their hands. While you may not have experienced this type of examination before, it is not painful. It could be a very important step in identifying an oral cancer lesion early – and helping assure a positive outcome.
Putting off visiting your dentist can be driven by many things – cost, anxiety, and fear to name a few. While these reasons can seem daunting, your dentist and his/her team can help ease your concerns. And, visiting your dentist just may save your life.
For more information about oral cancer, please visit OralCancerFoundation.org.
