Viva Vitality: Oral Cancer Awareness
By Kaleigh Southwell
April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. Every hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer. With that in mind, this is your friendly reminder that early detection and treatment of oral cancers greatly reduces the mortality rate and many health-related problems.
Head and neck cancers usually begin in the squamous cells inside the mouth, nose, throat and salivary glands. While smoking and tobacco use are still the main risk factors, the fastest-growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.
Although we cannot stop this disease from spreading, our hope to save lives is with professional involvement and public awareness. This is your opportunity to get involved and give back to your community by raising awareness of oral cancer and the need for early detection. Together we can make a difference in the world of oral cancers!
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer to look for:
Any sore or ulceration that does not heal within 14 days
A red, white or black discoloration of the soft tissues of the mouth
Any abnormality that bleeds easily when touched
A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually on the border of the tongue
Tissue raised above the skin; a growth, lump or thickening
A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, does not heal
A painless, firm, fixated lump felt on the outside of the neck, which has been there for at least two weeks
What can you do to prevent or stop the growth of oral cancer:
Not starting, or quitting, smoking/vaping/chewing tobacco/betel quid
Limit your alcohol intake
Get vaccinated against the HPV virus
Protect yourself from the sun, wear sunscreen on your face, neck and lips
Eat a balanced healthy diet, limiting processed and sugary foods
Brush and floss your teeth twice daily
Visit your dentist annually and if they don’t already do so, ask them for an oral cancer screening
For more information and recommendations on oral health, visit ahs.ca/oralhealth
Kaleigh Southwell is a Registered Dental Hygienist with Alberta Health Services’ Oral Health Program.