Research & Leadership

Hi everyone, I was recently reminded about how a dentist I know was able to identify oral cancer in one of her patients and thankfully got her to seek medical attention before it was too late, so I decided to look more into what oral cancer exactly is.

Oral cancer is cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or nearby areas of the throat. This means that the lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, and floor or roof of the mouth are all potential sites where oral cancer can occur. Oropharyngeal cancers, cancers that occur in the tissues of the oropharynx, or the middle part of the throat behind the mouth, appear further back, such as at the base of the tongue or on the tonsils. Major risk factors include tobacco and alcohol consumption, with HPV as a big cause of oropharyngeal cancer. Other factors, such as UV exposure, can increase the risk of cancers of the lip.

If you didn't already know, cancer refers to the uncontrolled division of cells that don't respond normally to the body's signals controlling cell growth and death. Eventually, cancerous cells can form a tumor and may even spread to other parts of the body. As for oral cancer, it can disrupt the normal functions of the mouth, such as eating, speaking, and even breathing. Theres a lot of indicators for oral cancer. Just to list a few:

• a sore in the mouth that doesn't heal

• a red or white patch in the mouth

• a lump or thickened area on the lip, mouth, or throat

• unexplained pain or bleeding in the mouth

• numbness of the tongue or another part of the mouth

• difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking

• difficulty moving the jaw or tongue

• a lump in the neck

• persistent ear pain

Also, it's important to understand that showing these symptoms doesn't automatically mean you have cancer, but it's definitely something you should be aware of.