Being Aware Of Oral Cancer

Team Oral Cancer

Woman Suffering From Tooth PainAccording to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer roughly kills 1 person every hour with more than 450,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. At Prestige Oral Surgery, we recommend that those at high risk for oral cancer, namely smokers, drinkers, users of chewing tobacco perform a self-evaluation monthly. When detected in the early stages, oral cancer may be more easily treated.

Oral Cancer
The problem with oral cancer is how it could go unnoticed during its initial stages. It usually starts as a small white or red spot. In some cases, it starts as a mouth sore that does not heal. Although around 25 percent of oral cancer does not have known risk factors, those who regularly use tobacco products and alcohol seem to have higher risks of getting oral cancer.

The inside of the mouth is normally lined with a special type of skin (mucosa) that is smooth and coral pink in color. Any alteration in this appearance could be a warning sign for a pathological process. The most serious of these is oral cancer.

The following can be signed at the beginning of a pathologic process or cancerous growth:

•Reddish patches (erythroplasia) or whitish patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
•A sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
•A lump or thickening on the skin lining the inside of the mouth•Chronic sore throat or hoarseness
•Difficulty in chewing or swallowing

What You Can Do

Regular dental appointments could help detect oral cancer in its early stages. If there are any suspicious findings, a quick and painless diagnostic process referred to as biopsy could help figure out if the lesions are cancerous or not.

Should you recognize any of the above signs or symptoms, please contact our office to schedule a consultation! Call Prestige Oral Surgery at 732-297-7000.