Ignorance is Not Bliss!
Know the possible signs and symptoms:
The Oral Cancer
Foundation has published the following information:
One of the real dangers
of this cancer is that in its early stages, it can go unnoticed. It can be
painless, and little in the way of physical changes may be obvious. The good
news is however, that your dentist or doctor can, in many cases, see or feel
the precursor tissue changes or the actual cancer while it is still very small,
or in its earliest stages. More about the
stages of cancer.
It may appear as a white
or red patch of tissue in the mouth, or a small indurated ulcer which looks
like a common canker sore. Because there are so many benign tissue changes that
occur normally in your mouth, and some things as simple as a bite on the inside
of your cheek may mimic the look of a dangerous tissue change, it is important
to have any sore or discolored area of your mouth, which does not heal
within 14 days, looked at by a professional. Other symptoms include; a
lump or mass which can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty in
swallowing, speaking, or chewing, any wart like masses, hoarseness which lasts
for a long time, or any numbness in the oral/facial region. Unilateral
persistent ear ache can also be a warning sign.
Other than the lips
which are not a major site for occurrence any longer, common areas for oral
cancer to develop in the anterior (front) of the mouth are on the tongue and
the floor of the mouth. Individuals that use chewing tobacco, are likely to
have them develop in the sulcus between the lip or cheek and the soft tissue
(gingiva) covering the lower jaw (mandible) where the plug of tobacco is held
repeatedly. There are also a small number of cancers that are unique to the salivary
glands, as well as the very dangerous melanoma. While the occurrence of these
are dwarfed by the other oral cancers, they are a small percentage of the total
incidence rate. In the US, cancers of the hard palate are uncommon, though not
unknown. The base of the tongue at the back of the mouth, the oropharynx (the
back of the throat) and on the pillars of the tonsils, and the tonsillar crypt
and the tonsil itself, are other sites where it is now more commonly found,
particularly in young non smoking individuals. If your dentist or doctor
decides that an area is suspicious, the only way to know for sure if it is
something dangerous, is to do a biopsy of the area. This is not painful, is
inexpensive, and takes little time. It is important to have a firm diagnosis as
early as possible. It is possible that your general dentist or medical doctor,
may refer you to a specialist to have the biopsy performed. This is not cause
for alarm, but a normal part of referring that happens between doctors of
different specialties. More about biopsy
and diagnosis
Any discussion of
diagnosis must be prefaced with the issue of discovery. While an annual
screening for oral cancer is important, it is possible that you will notice
some change in your mouth or throat that needs examination between your annual
screenings. You are the most important factor in an early diagnosis. You should
always contact your doctor or dentist immediately if you notice the following
symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within
two weeks.
- A lump or thickening in the cheek.
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or
lining of the mouth.
- A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in
the throat.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
- Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly
or become uncomfortable.
- Chronic hoarseness.
It is so important to us that you are taking all health
screenings seriously. We are here to
help you stay healthy and get the best out of your radiant smile and strong
teeth. You are investing in your future
when you take the time to make sure all is well. And if something is discovered you have a
much greater chance at a successful treatment and recovery than you do if
problems advance.
We are coming to the end of April, call today
to schedule your FREE Oral Cancer Exam!
(541) 451-1440
Tonsil most cancers principally is affecting gentlemen not to mention is certainly closely known to cause tobacco along with booze use.
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