A silent killer often detected too late.
Where does oral cancer occur? About two-thirds of cancer of the mouth or oral cavity occurs in the floor of mouth and tongue, but can occur in the upper or lower jaw, lips, gums and cheek lining. Just behind the mouth is an area known as the orophyarnx. Oropharyngeal cancer (one-third of cases) occurs in the back of the tongue, tonsils and throat tissue.
Who are most at risk?
Smokers: People who use tobacco are six times more likely to develop oral cancer. Eight of 10 oral cancer patients are smokers.
Heavy alcohol drinkers: 80 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer consume more than 21 drinks weekly.
HPV infected: People with history of oral human papilloma virus infections are at greater risk to develop oral cancer even if they don’t smoke or drink.
The American cancer society recommends a comprehensive oral evaluation and soft tissue exam annually. Your prosthodontist in trained to perform a comprehensive evaluation of your mouth including the associated structures in the head and neck area.
An oral cancer exam is painless; treatment for advances oral cancer is not.
Dr Mohammad Ali Nazarian
Prosthodontist