Oral Cancer Status Report Cancer Talks / Nalini Shah Cancer Talks Date: Jun 21, 2009 - 12:59 AM Oral Cancer: Status Report: 01/11/2009 Incidence: Each year in the United States about 34,000 people learn that they have the cancer of mouth and lips or the part of the throat at the back of the mouth. When found early, oral cancers have survival rate of 80% to 90%. Unfortunately the majority are found as late stage cancers and this accounts for high death rate of about 45% at 5 years from diagnosis. Risk Factors: There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer: 1. Use of Alcohol and Tobacco are major risk factors. 90% of the people with oral cancer use tobacco in some form. About 80% of people with oral cancers are heavy alcohol drinkers. The combination of tobacco and alcohol is particularly dangerous. 2. Exposure to HPV-16 (human papilloma virus), the same one which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. Exposure of lips to sun without a sunscreen like lotion or lip balm or not wearing a hat leading to sun exposure is also a risk factor. Some studies suggest that not eating enough fruits and vegetables may increase the chance of getting oral cancer. Early Detection: Most oral cancers begin in tongue and floor of the mouth. When oral cancer spreads it can spread to other parts of neck, the lungs and other parts of the body. Red (brightly colored) and white patches inside mouth or lips and non-healing sores, bleeding in mouth, loose teeth, difficulty or pain in when swallowing, difficulty wearing dentures, lump in neck and earache. Regular check with a dentist or a doctor to check entire mouth can diagnose if any of these symptoms are related to cancer. Treatment: Usually a biopsy and other lab tests confirm the cancer. The treatment may include Surgery, Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy as recommended by the specialist doctors. Resources: 1. Oral Cancer Foundation: www.oralcancerfoundation.org, 949-496-3331 2. Mouth Cancer Foundation: www.mouthcancerfoundation.org 020-8940-2222 (UK) 3. National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/oral (1-800-4-CANCER) Information Specialists at NCI's Cancer Information Service can answer questions about cancer and can send materials published by NCI. 4. American Dental Association. www.ada.org, 312-440-2500 For Cancer Awareness/Detection camp in India, the fund will provide a grant of $500/camp. Please contact mgshah@yahoo.com 949-509-6716 This article comes from Anekant Community Center http://www.anekant.net/ The URL for this story is: http://www.anekant.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=22