Oral Cancer: Is it Being Overlooked?

Recently while having a visit to my dentist he suggested that I have a screening for oral cancer. Not thinking that I am at any risk since I thought it was linked mostly with smokers I declined. He didn't seem to push the screening, which basically only consisted of using a special light to look at cells in your mouth, cheek and throat. So when he walked away I picked up the brochure that he left behind and started reading some interesting facts about oral cancer and then realized that maybe I needed to get screened.

Oral cancer is one of the few types of cancer that the mortality rate has not improved in about 30 years. The diagnosis of oral cancer is usually detected in the late stages I suspect that this is mostly part because of the lack of screening. When looking at some of the early signs and symptoms I can see why a visit to a physician would be put off. These symptoms are very basic, and somewhere along anyone of us may have presented with any of these symptoms. Early signs and symptoms include a sore in the mouth, a lump or thickening in the cheek, or a painless white or red patch anywhere in your mouth. Now who hasn't had any of these uncomfortable lesions?

The difficult part is that there is no definitive risk factor. According to Oral Cancer.org there are twenty-five percent of oral cancer victims that have not used tobacco and have no other known risk factors. I think the misconception is linking oral cancer to only smokers, and yes this is a risk factor but it is not the only one. Any family history of cancer places you at risk as well as excessive alcohol use. In which I would not have even thought about. It should also be noted that the risk is not only to cigarette smoking but to cigar, and pipe smoking as well, along with chewing tobacco.

According to the Surgeons General report only fifteen percent of the general population has annual screening for oral cancer. To me this seems frightening since it is still the cancer that the mortality rate has not decreased in thirty years. The American Cancer Society states that it was estimated that about 34,360 new cases of oral cancer would have been diagnosed in the United States in 2007. And an estimated 7,550 people would have died of these cancers in 2007 as well.

Oral screening seems to be the best method in detecting these cancers especially in the early stages, so as I said earlier I opted to have the screening which by the way did not show any abnormal cells. Thank goodness. And my dental insurance did cover the cost so it was to my benefit to have it done. And according to my dentist most insurance companies are reimbursing for this specific type of test. However, an oral screening doesn't even need a special light, if your health care provider performs an assessment of your mucous membranes and palpates your oral cavity, this is much more significant than not having anything done at all. My recommendation is to ask your physician or dentist about screening for oral cancer.