We know that cancer is scary. It is the BIG C. You may not know it but Oral Cancer moves very quickly. Why? The truth is that oral cancer may already be developing in the mouth very subtly and painlessly. By the time signs of oral cancer are visibly detectable, by the lumps or colour changes in the mouth, the cancer is at a late stage.
According to the Canadian Cancer Foundation, it is estimated that in 2014, 4,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with oral cavity cancer. Of that 4300 people, over a quarter of those diagnosed will die from oral cavity cancer. Those lucky enough to beat this terrible disease, may live with constant reminders because their tongue or jaw or lip might need plastic surgical reconstruction after a life saving surgery has removed all the cancer.
As a beacon of hope, Michael Douglas famous actor and oral cancer survivor recorded this video message to educate the public. Smoking causes oral cancer? It does, but so can ill fitting dentures or partials, alcohol, or an injury in the mouth.
We are now seeing an increase of oral cancer in younger people who are non smokers. In fact the fastest growing group of oral cancer victims are non smoking young people. Why? It turns out oral cancer can be caused by the sexually transmitted HPV virus. It can lay dormant in your body for years and you may never experience oral cancer. HPV goes away by itself within two years and does not cause health problems. It is only when HPV stays in the body for many years that it might cause these oral cancers. –
We strongly believe that in a younger population of non smoking oral cancer patients, that HPV is presenting itself as the dominant causative factor, particularly in the oropharynx anatomical locations.Since the historic definition of those who need to be screened is now changed by this newly defined HPV etiology, and is no longer valid, it is NOT POSSIBLE to definitively know who is at risk for the development of the disease, and who is not. Simply stated, today ANYONE OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE ENGAGED IN SEXUAL BEHAVIORS WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF TRANSFERING THIS VERY UBIQUITOUS VIRUS NEEDS TO BE SCREENED ANNUALLY FOR ORAL CANCER.
_Oral Cancer_ Foundation: https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/hpv/ocfs-opinions-hpv-oral-cancer/
Oral Cancer Signs and Symptoms:
This list considers both oral cancers from HPV and those from tobacco and alcohol
* An ulcer or sore that does not heal within 2-3 weeks
* Difficult or painful swallowing
* Pain when chewing
* A persistent sore throat or hoarse voice
* A swelling or lump in the mouth
* A painless lump felt on the outside of the neck, which has been there for at least two weeks.
* A numb feeling in the mouth or lips
* Constant coughing
* An ear ache on one side (unilateral) which persists for more than a few days.
– See more at: https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/hpv/hpv-oral-cancer-facts/
How do you get the jump start on oral cancer? Have a 5 minute Oral Cancer Screening by your dentist once a year. It’s painless and probably the least invasive of any of your dental treatments. And the peace of mind it offers is priceless. Your dentist is trained to do a visual cancer screening of the oral cavity and now is assisted with a light called VelScope that is able to detect any unusual growth under the skin. Early detection before the cancer surfaces, would increase recovery to over 83%.
Here are a few others who’d battled oral cancer. Some have survived, some weren’t that lucky:
Aaron Spelling
Babe Ruth
Bruce Paltrow
Diane Von Furstenberg
Eddie Van Halen
George Harrison
Grover Cleveland
Humphrey Bogart
John Prine
Judy Holliday
Rod Stewart
Roger Ebert
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sigmund Freud
Don’t join this list. Book your oral cancer screening today.
