Oral Cancer Awareness Month

This April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to increase knowledge of the dangers and symptoms associated with Oral cancer among the public. Oral cancer is a debilitating condition, but one that with early detection, can be treated successfully. At Savanna Dental we aim to provide the services needed to lower the threat of Oral cancer, and provide ongoing support and treatment when needed for our patients.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which is a period of time dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of Oral cancer (also known as Mouth Cancer), the signs and symptoms of the condition, and the importance of attending regular dental check-ups in order to remain protected against the condition.

The non-profit organization Oral Cancer Foundation organize the month-long campaign, which is supported by numerous dental associations and research bodies around the world. It is an important issue, with Oral cancer remaining a common form of cancer.

The most crucial element in Oral cancer is early detection. By detecting problems early, survival rates can increase. While the statistics behind the condition are somewhat worrying, there are things that we can all do to lessen the threat of the condition – with attending regular check-ups highly important.

The Statistics

Oral cancer is actually more common than many people think. Around the world, it is the 6th most common type of cancer [1]. Figures from the Canadian Cancer Statistics [2] show that in 2020, an estimated 5,400 Canadians were diagnosed with Oral cancer, with the condition causing 1,500 deaths. The condition is more common in men than women, and has a 64% survival rate over the course of five years [3].

Risk Factors

There are risk factors involved with Oral cancer, however it is important to mention that anyone can be affected by Oral cancer. Those that are heavy alcohol drinkers and smokers are at a heightened risk, especially those over the age of 50.

But younger people are increasingly being affected by Oral cancer, which has largely been attributed to the ongoing spread of the sexually transmitted infection Human Papillomavirus virus (HPV), with the HPV-16 subtype especially linked to oral cancer [4].

Steps we can take

There are certainly steps that we can take to increase our chances of avoiding Oral cancer. Without doubt, the most important step we can take is to attend regular dental check-ups. The earlier that symptoms of Oral cancer are detected, the better the chance of survival. Regularly seeing your dentist is the best thing that we can do to avoid Oral cancer.

The Oral Cancer Foundation’s “Check Your MouthTM” initiative encourages the public to remain aware of the symptoms, even between appointments. The typical symptoms seen in Oral cancer are, but not limited to [1]:

• Any form of growth e.g., a lump, in your mouth
• A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal within 2 weeks
• Discoloration of some tissues in the mouth
• Unexplained numbness on the lip or tongue
• The mouth bleeding easily
• Swollen glands
• Jaw swelling

Aside from looking out for the symptoms and attending regular check-ups, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol consumption are excellent ways of lessening our chances of getting Oral cancer. A healthy and nutritious diet with plenty of fruit and vegetable can also be recommended.

What we offer

As mentioned, it is crucial to attend regular dental check-ups. Our Calgary-based clinic Savanna Dental offers a range of services to customers, from regular check-ups to more complex treatments. We will always be happy to help, and provide the treatment you require in a comfortable environment. Our dental clinic is in a convenient location in Calgary.

We provide oral exam services to screen and prevent Oral cancer. If you do suffer from Oral cancer, we will provide comprehensive advice on how to treat it and offer guidance that is tailored to your personal situation. We always aim to contribute to the ongoing positive oral health of our patients.

Summary

Oral cancer is a condition that can be treated. We really can’t emphasize enough the importance of early detection, meaning that regular check-ups are important. We care about your oral health here at Savanna Dental. Contact us or visit our website at https://savannadentalclinic.ca if you would like to learn more about the services we can offer.

• NHS. (2021). Mouth Cancer Overview. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-cancer/. Last accessed: 10th April 2021.
• [2] Canadian Cancer Society. (2020). Oral Cavity Cancer Statistics. Available: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/oral/statistics/?region=on. Last accessed: 9th April 2021.
• [3] Canadian Cancer Society. (2020). Survival statistics for oral cancer. Available: https://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/oral/prognosis-and-survival/survival-statistics/?region=on. Last accessed: 10th April 2021.
• [4] Herrero, R., Castellsagué, X., Pawlita, M., Lissowska, J., Kee, F., Balaram, P., Rajkumar, T., Sridhar, H., Rose, B., Pintos, J., Fernández, L., Idris, A., Sanchez, M. J., Nieto, A., Talamini, R., Tavani, A., Bosch, F. X., Reidel, U., Snijders, P. J. F., Meijer, C. J. L. M., Viscidi, R., Munoz, N., & Franceschi, S. Human Papillomavirus and Oral Cancer: The International Agency for Research on Cancer Multicenter Study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 95 (23): p1772-1783.