ORAL CANCER : Deadly to Ignore

Cancers of the oral cavity (lip, tongue, salivary glands, and other sites in the mouth) and pharynx account for about 3% of the cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. About 30,000 new cases are diagnosed and over 8,000 people die from the disease each year (1). The 1990-1994 mortality rate for oral cancers was 2.5 per 100,000, ranking Oregon 37th among the states. Overall, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is about 53%; however, minorities are much less likely than whites to survive after a diagnosis of oral cancer. Black males fare worse than any other group; only about 28% will survive five years after a diagnosis of oral cancer (3). Oral cancers are more likely to occur in men than in women and most often are diagnosed in people over the age of 40. The oral cavity is an easily accessible part of the body, and examinations for oral cancers can increase the likelihood of detecting these life-threatening cancers. However, most oral cancers are not detected at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. Although dentists are most likely to perform an oral cancer examination , all primary health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and dental hygienists, should perform regular oral cancer examinations for patients who have been identified at high risk for oral cancer (4,5). • A mouth sore that fails to heal or that bleeds easily. • A white or red patch in the mouth that will not go away. • A lump, thickening, or soreness in the mouth, throat, or tongue. • Difficulty chewing or swallowing food. Prevention Primary prevention strategies may offer the best opportunity for reducing oral cancer deaths and disease. Health care providers should counsel patients about the use of tobacco and alcohol , high risk behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer (4,5). The use of tobacco is a contributing factor in at least 75% of all oral cancers (4,6,7). Cigarettes have been established as a direct cause of oral cancer. There is strong evidence that snuff can cause oral cancer, and chewing tobacco increases the risk of tissue changes in the mouth that can lead to oral cancer. Among cigar and pipe smokers, oral cancer mortality