When you envision getting a cancer diagnosis, the setting may tend to be a doctor’s office, but there are certainly other possibilities. Take a dentist’s office, for example. According to the American Cancer Society, one person dies from oral cancer every hour on average. While that statistic is worrisome, it is important to remember that an early diagnosis and prompt treatment can improve your chances of survival. With that in mind, read on as your dentist in Lincoln shares the signs, risk factors, and prevention tactics.
What Are Signs of Oral Cancer?
With cancer, it is common for symptoms to vary from person to person. However, there are some frequent signs that many patients experience. Therefore, it is important to look for:
- Trouble moving your jaw or tongue
- Frequent bad breath
- Unintended weight loss
- Feeling like something is caught in your throat
- White or red mouth sores on your gums, tonsils, or the lining of your mouth
- Swelling in your neck
- A lump in your cheek
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
What Are Risk Factors for Oral Cancer?
Although oral cancer has been a prevalent health issue for decades, extensive research is still underway on what exactly causes it. However, researchers have pinpointed certain behaviors and conditions that put patients at a higher risk of being diagnosed:
- Extended sun exposure
- Being over the age of 45
- Having another type of head or neck cancer
- Using tobacco products
- Consuming a large amount of alcohol
- Contracting the human papillomavirus (HPV)
Exams Are Essential
Fortunately, mouth cancers are recognized as one of the most preventable types. In fact, if it is diagnosed in the early stages, the survival rate is up to 81 percent compared to roughly 45 percent at the five-year mark.
So, it is of the utmost importance to minimize your risk by limiting sun exposure, eating a balanced diet, quitting poor oral habits like using tobacco products, and visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups. Make sure to talk to your dentist in Lincoln today about scheduling a biannual exam and oral cancer screening!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding has been working hard for the Lincoln community and surrounding areas in his current dental office for nearly two decades. Earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he continues to prioritize learning and is one of two dentists in Nebraska to hold the prestigious position of Spear Visiting Faculty. Dr. Olberding performs an oral cancer screening at every checkup and cleaning, scanning the mouth, face, and oral tissue for abnormalities. Any areas of concern will need to undergo further testing to determine if they are cancerous or not. Schedule an appointment on his website or by calling (402) 488-2325.