Oral Cancer

Protect Your Mouth!

Oral cancer is a form of cancer found in the tissues of the mouth, lips, pharynx and part of the throat. This cancer is commonly referred to as mouth, tongue and throat cancer. Oral cancer is diagnosed in approximately 100 individuals each day in the United States. The rate of diagnosis is even higher in Anne Arundel County when compared to both national and state averages.

Oral cancer ranks ninth as the most common cancer in men, and 13th as the most common cancer in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that 7,600 people will die each year from oral cancer. The 5-year survival rate of oral cancer is 60%; therefore, early detection is essential. To check for possible suspicious areas, it is important that you have an exam performed by a doctor, dentist or dental hygienist.

The risk factors for oral cancer include:

• Tobacco use, including cigarettes, chew, dip, snuff, pipes and cigars, drastically increases the risk of developing oral cancer.
• Quitting smoking will help reduce the risk of oral cancer. Download the "Roadmap to Quitting" Workbook, order a FREE Quit Smoking Kit or call the Learn To Live Line at 410-222-7979.

• Men who consume more than two drinks a day and women who drink more than one drink a day are at higher risk.
• The risk for oral cancer increases when tobacco and alcohol are used together.

• Oral cancer is most common among African American men, and it ranks fourth as the most common cancer in African American men.
• The rate of African Americans who develop oral cancer is one third higher than Caucasians.
• The number of African Americans that die from oral cancer is almost twice as high when compared to Caucasians.

• The risk for developing oral cancer increases with age.

• Men are two times more likely than women to develop oral cancer.

• HPV can infect both men and women, and people generally do not have noticeable symptoms.
• The HPV virus type 16 is linked to oral cancer. This is the same viral subtype responsible for a majority of cervical cancers in women. Oral sex increases risk of oral cancer caused by HPV.

• UVA and UVB radiation are types of invisible ultraviolet rays that come from the sun and tanning devices, and both are known to cause skin cancer. Skin cancer can develop on the lips and skin around the mouth. For more information about protecting your skin from the sun, click here.

• Eating a diet high in fat, low in fiber and not rich in fruits and vegetables can increase your risk of developing cancer.

• Having a family member with cancer increases a person's chances of developing different forms of cancer, including oral cancer.

It is important for everyone to have an oral exam even if there are no known risk factors or symptoms; 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors. Your health care professional can review with you possible risk factors for oral cancer.

• A sore in the mouth that does not heal (the most common symptom)
• A pain in the mouth or throat that does not go away
• Trouble chewing or swallowing
• White or red patches inside the mouth
• Numbness of your tongue or other areas of your mouth
• Voice changes
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Swelling of your jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Weight loss
• Pain in one ear without hearing loss
• A lump or thickening in the cheek and/or neck (usually occurs when the cancer has progressed)

Waiting for pain is often too late; early detection is key!
Contact your health care provider immediately
if you experience any of these symptoms.

• Talk to your health care provider or dentist about receiving an oral exam. To find out what goes on during an oral cancer exam, click here.
• Do not use tobacco products. For information on quitting smoking, click here or call the Learn to Live Line at 410-222-7979.
• Practice good oral hygiene; for tips, click here.
• Use lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat, high fiber diet; for tips, click here.
• Limit alcohol intake to one drink per day if you are a woman and two drinks per day if you are a man.

Early detection is essential!
Once the cancer spreads the survival rate decreases.

• Anne Arundel County Department of Health Dental Services provides low-cost dental health services to eligible county residents.
• Are You at Risk for Oral Cancer?: What African American Men Need to Know
• Oral Cancer Brochure
• Power to Quit Smoking Kit
• Roadmap to Quitting Workbook - English
• Roadmap to Quitting Workbook- Spanish
• Free Smoking Cessation Classes
• Healthy Eating Kit

• American Cancer Society
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• National Cancer Institute
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Posted: 1.20.10