Oral cancer is becoming more prevalent in non-smokers and non-drinkers. And the growth rate for oral cancer has jumped considerably in the past few years.
Exposure to human papilloma virus (HPV) is the fastest growing factor in acquiring oral cancer. It is the same virus that is responsible for cervical cancer in women.
HPV presents a 5x increase in the risk for oral cancer under the age of 40.
HPV can be acquired through sexual contact.
What does this mean? All patients over the age of 17 should be screened every year for oral cancer by their dentist. The detection of oral cancer with the naked eye is important, but by the time it is detected visually, the mortality rate is about 50% The technology is improving so that it can be diagnosed earlier, and treated more successfully--with an almost 90% cure rate.
Two types of technology are available for dentists now, the Velscope and Identafi 3000. Both use special wavelengths of light to identify abnormal oral tissue.
The other important part of reducing oral cancer risk is making appropriate lifestyle changes. Eliminating tobacco use, reducing alcohol intake, and eating a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits are important. And having a doctor or health professional provide screening, testing, or treatment women at risk for HPV is also essential to reducing oral cancer risks. Learn more about HPV at the CDC website.
Hi Dr. Rafoth,
ReplyDeleteI applaud your efforts to bring more attention to the problem of oral cancer. My company, PMI Labs, is trying to make oral cancer screening as routine as Pap testing. As you know well, there is 3x more oral cancer than cervical cancer in North America. We are trying to change this by helping people to ask to be screened at their next dental visit. Since you are passionate about changing oral cancer outcomes, I invite you to join our "Dentists who screen" group at SaveTheFace.org.
Best, Lydia Taylor