Allison Requests Oral Cancer Info

"Dad, you should write something about oral cancer. My friends are interested in it, and they want to know what's new." This text message came to me from my daughter Allison who is presently serving in Peace Corps Jordan. She had heard about the VELScope examination we do at our office and was interested in passing on some of the newer information to her friends. Well, here's the latest:

Oral cancer kills one person every hour, 24 hours a day in the United States.

Oral cancer is one of the human cancers that is not decreasing in occurence in the last few years. The incidence of oral cancer is about twice that of skin cancer and about three times that of cervical cancer in women. Oral cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer in the U.S. According to the American Dental Association, oral cancer strikes an estimated 34,360 Americans each year. Approximately 7,550 people (5,180 men and 2,370 women) will have died of these cancers in 2007. African-Americans are especially vulnerable; the incidence rate is 1/3 higher than whites and the mortality rate is almost twice as high (American Cancer Society statistics).

Tobacco and alcohol combined account for about 75% of oral cancers, while the segment of the U.S. population growing disproportionately in new oral cancers is women under 40 years of age. It is speculated that this newer group is related to HPV-16 or one of the forms of human papilloma virus. Human papilloma virus is a sexually transmitted virus, infecting about 40 million Americans, and also causing an increased risk of cervical cancers. The HPV affects tissues that have direct contact with a lesion or sore, and does not circulate through a person's system.

Oral sex is also being tagged as a cause of oral cancer because of contact with HPV lesions. "There is absolutely a link between oral sex and oral cancer," said Dr. Ellen Rome, of the Cleveland Clinic. Although no proof exists yet, there is a chance that HPV can be transmitted mouth to mouth.

NON-smokers and people who are not in traditional risk groups are also experiencing an increase in oral cancer rates. Researchers are still working on finding out what these new risk factors may be.

Oral cancers start as a small white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth or on the lips. Other signs of oral cancer could be: a sore that bleeds easily or does not heal; pain, tenderness or numbness that doesn't heal; or difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue. Prolonged exposure to the sun can increase the risk of lip cancer.

Half of the people who are diagnosed with oral cancer die within five years. This is mostly due to the cancer being undetected until it is too large to treat easily. Early detection and intervention allows nearly 90% of all cases to be treated.

Detection of oral cancer starts at the dentist's office. A careful visual examination is performed at least annually. The dentist may use an adjunctive screening tool like the VELScope we have in our office. The VELScope shines a blue light into the mouth, and normal healthy cells fluoresce and appear green while looking through a filtering lens. Suspicious cells look jet black or darker through the scope. Final confirmation or diagnosis of cancer can only be accomplished by biopsy or removal of the lesion for microscopic examination. Many more lesions can be detected by using the VELScope than can be seen with the unaided eye.

Studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may prevent the development of potentially cancerous lesions. Yes, your mother was right again!

Allison, I hope this helps. Let me know if you need more specifics. Also, text your Dad sometime, and we can discuss that "budget thing."