Oral Cancer Survivors
According to MD Anderson, a leading cancer treatment hospital,
Thanks to earlier detection, improved treatments and the supportive care of family and friends, there are now more than 10 million cancer survivors in the United States. One out of every six people over 65 is a cancer survivor, and 1.4 million were diagnosed more than 20 years ago.
Some survivors may live with cancer as a chronic disease requiring periodic treatments, while others may go into long-term remission. Many will lead normal lives with few side effects, if any. In fact, two-thirds of survivors report that cancer has not had a significant long-term impact on their lives.
Early detection is the best way to survive cancer. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,
Oral cancer survival rates have increased approximately 15 percent from the mid 1960s until the latest (2004) National Cancer Institute Survey. In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups.
The more awareness that is raised regarding the concerns of oral cancer, the higher the likelihood of early detection. Encourage your friends and your family to incorporate regular oral cancer screenings in their dental checkups.
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Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.
Explaining Head and Neck Cancer
Often times when we think of oral cancer we will automatically focus on cancer of the mouth. However, to understand oral cancer more thoroughly, you must understand head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer describes where the cancer originates.
MD Anderson provides the following list on the areas that head and neck cancers usually occur:
- Oral cavity (mouth, lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, tonsils and mouth floor)
- Salivary glands
- Nasal cavity / paranasal sinuses / nasopharynx
- Throat / pharynx
- Larynx / voice box
If you begin to experience a lump or sore in any of these areas that is not healing, a sore throat that will not go away, trouble swallowing or a change in your voice or hoarseness, you should visit your physician immediately.
Green Tea and Oral Cancer
All too often we hear of things we must take out of our diets in order to decrease the risk of cancer. But what if I told you that by adding something to your diet, you could decrease the risk of oral cancer?
Green tea has been known to help with:
- Heart Disease
- Arthritis
- Liver Disease
- Weight Management
- Tooth Decay
- Cancer
A recent study from MD Anderson reveals that:
Green tea extract may prevent oral cancer in patients with oral leukoplakia, a pre-malignant condition that develops on the tongue or inside of the cheek in response to chronic irritation or tobacco carcinogen exposure.
In this study researchers took a test group of people that are at high risk for oral cancer and and gave three different doses to each along with placebo tests. Following the entire testing process they found that 50% had clinical results. Of the 41 that participated, only 15 ended up developing oral cancer.
The study yielded encouraging results:
• 58.8% of patients receiving the two highest doses had a clinical response (50% or more reduction in the size of all measured areas of oral leukoplakia)
• 36.4% of patients receiving the lowest dose had a clinical response
• 18.2% of patients receiving a placebo had a clinical response
All of these results prove one thing… more research is warranted.
Click her to view the full-page article on Green Tea.
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Photo Courtesy of: The Inquisitr
Oral Cancer Symptoms
Awareness for oral cancer is of such great importance because the high fatality rate among oral cancer patients could have been lessened with earlier detection. Today we are going to talk about oral cancer symptoms and the types spots that those screening for oral cancer symptoms are looking for. MD Anderson Cancer Center offers an excellent resource for information on oral cancer.
There are three types of suspicious spots: Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia and Erythroleukoplakia. Below is information from MD Anderson on the types of areas that raise concern when oral cancer screenings are being conducted and oral cancer symptoms to look for:
Suspicious Areas:
Leukoplakia is a white area or spot in the oral cavity. About 25% of leukoplakias are cancerous or precancerous.
Erythroplakia is a red, raised area or spot that bleeds if scraped. About 70% of erythroplakias are cancerous or precancerous.
Erythroleukoplakia is a spot with both red and white areas.
- Sore in the mouth or throat that doesn’t heal
- Loose teeth
- Lump or thickening in the neck, face, jaw, cheek, tongue or gums
- Difficulty swallowing or the sensation that something is caught in the throat
- Earache or sore throat that does not go away
- Dentures that cause discomfort or do not fit well
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
- Persistent bad breath
- Unexplained weight loss
- Change in voice
A person who is experiencing these oral cancer symptoms does not necessarily have oral cancer. However, as early detection is critical to increased survival rate, it is important to have an oral cancer scan conducted by your dentist in order to ensure health. Many dentists are beginning to make oral cancer screening a routine part of patient appointments. Check with your dentist to learn if it is a part of your appointment and request a screening if not.
