According to the Canadian Dental Association, oral cancer was diagnosed in 3,200 people in 2007 and is responsible for the death of 1,100 people. To put this into perspective, there are more cases of oral cancer diagnosed in a year than ovarian cancer. And more patients succumb to oral cancer than from melanoma. This alarming statistic is further growing as the years go by.
Oral cancer is a silent but deadly disease. Most cases are diagnosed in the advanced stage, which results in a lower overall survival rate. This is where oral cancer screening can help.
To learn more about oral cancer and oral cancer screenings and consultations in Vancouver, carry on reading below.
Oral Cancer Screenings in Vancouver
Oral cancer screening helps with the early diagnosis of oral cancers by checking possible links to the disease before serious symptoms arise. The goal is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at a very early stage. The earlier you are screened and diagnosed, the easier the cancer is to remove and treat.
The process involves going over medical and dental records, checking scans, assessing risk factors, and evaluating your current oral health status to determine if you are a potential oral cancer patient.
Oral cancer screening is most beneficial to patients with risk factors as they can be promptly assessed for the possibility of the disease. While there are several debates on whether this system can really help, it is always better to be safe than sorry – as they say, prevention is better than cure.
For your peace of mind, several dental clinics in Vancouver offer oral cancer screening. It is recommended that adults over the age of 20 should have a screening every three years, while those over 40 should have annual screenings. But, if you use tobacco products and are at high risk for oral cancer, it is best to attend more frequent mouth cancer screenings.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer or mouth cancer is the most common among the cancers of the head and neck, with almost 90% of cancers in this area developing in the structures of the mouth.
It is described as cancer that originates in the mouth, including the areas of the:
- Gums
- Lips
- Inner cheek
- Teeth
- Tongue
- Floor of the mouth
- Roof of the mouth (palate)
- Tonsils
- Salivary glands
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
Cancers occur when there is a change to the cellular composition that makes up your body parts. It may be due to several factors, with no singular cause identified.
It can be triggered by certain risk factors, such as:
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
- Family history
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Age – 55 years or older
If you are among those at increased risk for oral cancer, it is best to schedule an oral cancer consultation with your dentist as soon as possible.
When to See Your Dentist
Knowing your body well helps greatly with determining when you need to seek professional help. If you experience any mouth pain or discomfort or if you notice a lump, discolouration, or lesion, call your dentist immediately so they can take a closer look.
Early detection makes all the difference when it comes to oral cancers. The earlier you are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes will be.
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening begins with filling out your chart so your dentist can assess your medical and dental history. Then, a comprehensive mouth examination will be done.
Your dentist will use a light, mirror, and tongue depressor to check all corners of the mouth and look for any signs of abnormality. This includes your gums, teeth, tongue, inner cheek, floor and roof of the mouth, lips, and tonsils. The dentist will also palpate the jaw, neck, under the chin, and cheeks to feel for unusual masses.
Some key details they are looking for are:
- Bumps
- Patches of discolouration
- Crusts
- Ulcerations
- Swelling
- Lesions
- Firm nodules
- Lumps
Oral Cancer Screening Tests
If abnormalities are detected, a special dye or illumination is used for further evaluation of the area. During this step, some common steps include:
- Screening Dye
Toluidine blue is a dye that is applied to a suspected abnormal area. If a cancerous lesion is found, the dye will coat the tissue blue.
- Screening Light
A laser light can be used on an abnormal tissue and it would reflect differently than a normal tissue. This test can also be used with a fluorescent acetic acid rinse so your dentist can properly examine the area. The screening light will make the healthy tissue look dark and the abnormal tissue look white.
If your dental care provider has tested you positive with the initial screening test, you will need to undergo more tests to get an official diagnosis. You will be referred to an oncologist for further assessment with tests such as an oral cytology or biopsy.
Oral Cancer Treatment Options
Oral cancer treatment plans include a combination of:
- Surgery
Small cancers and tumours can be completely removed through surgery. Surgical reconstruction may also be done on areas of the jaw or neck after the removal of oral cancers.
- Radiation therapy
Using targeted radiation can help eliminate remaining cancerous cells that were not removed during surgical therapy.
- Chemotherapy
Powerful drugs can help attack cancer cells in the body. This can be done after surgery or as a standalone treatment.
- Drug therapy
Targeted drugs can help prevent future oral cancer growth.
Oral Cancer – Key Takeaway
While there are no actual studies that prove that oral cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from oral cancer, it is still an excellent guide that you and your dentist can use to assess your potential for oral cancer. Based on certain risk factors and medical history, a recommendation can be made to schedule you for an oral cancer screening.
If you are concerned about your risk for mouth cancers, talk to your dentist about ways to reduce your risk or the screening test that is most suitable for you.