Whatever you may have thought, April isn’t just a time for rain showers that bring May flowers. It’s also Oral Cancer Awareness Month – a period dedicated to noting and fighting oral cancer. Now that the month is here, you should recognize the danger of its namesake and keep yourself safe. Your Ann Arbor dentist will even help you start that work. So, here’s a look at oral cancer’s risk factors, symptoms, and screening process.
The Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Since oral cancer is life-threatening in its later forms, you’ll want to prevent it as best you can. The best way to do that is to manage the relevant risk factors to reduce your odds.
Oral cancer’s most notable risk factors are:
- Age – A person’s risk of oral cancer increases with age. In fact, all adults over 55 years old are at great risk of developing the condition.
- Genetics – (Biological) males are more likely to get oral cancer than females. The same applies to those with a family history.
- Tobacco & Alcohol Use – By smoking tobacco, you absorb carcinogens that can trigger oral cancer. Alcoholic drinks further help those carcinogens enter your oral tissues.
- Sun Exposure – Time in the sun exposes you to ultraviolet (UV) light. If that exposure gets excessive, it can cause cancer in your lips.
Oral Cancer’s Signs & Symptoms
Oral cancer’s early signs resemble those of less severe issues, so please take them seriously. You’ll want to keep a close eye out for:
- Lumps or thick patches in your mouth
- Rough or crusty areas on your lips or gums
- Bleeding sores on your lip or inside your mouth
- Numbness, pain, or tenderness on your face
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- A feeling of looseness in your teeth
Why Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer
Many of us can miss oral cancer’s signs, so get a dental checkup this month to play it safe. This visit will include a thorough screening for oral cancer and its symptoms.
Indeed, dentists regularly screen for oral cancer to protect your life and smile. These checks for relevant cancer signs make an early diagnosis (if cancer is present) more likely. Your 5-year survival rate can then skyrocket to a whopping 86%, as the cancer is easier to treat in its initial stages.
Once you learn the points above, you’ll be ready to honor Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Just keep those facts in mind as this month continues!
About the Author
Dr. Dina H. Cocco is a dentist based in Ann Arbor, MI, having earned her DDS at the University of Michigan. In her 30+ years in the field, she’s developed great expertise in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency oral care. That means patients of all ages can trust her to make their smiles shine and thrive! Today, Dr. Coco practices at her self-titled clinic and is reachable on her website and by phone at (734)-668-8636.