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VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — Unlike many other types of cancer, oral cancer rates are not coming down. Oral cancer is already the sixth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, accounting for 40,000 new cases each year. In fact, of the so-called ‘major cancers,' oral cancer has the lowest five-year survival rate and recent statistics support that these numbers are not getting any better. Only about 50 percent of those 40,000 Americans diagnosed with oral cancer will survive more than five years.
With advancements in cancer diagnosis, why is actual prevention and treatment of oral cancer lagging behind other forms of cancer? This answer, while complicated, appears to be related to several factors, including lack of early detection, a continued high rate of tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Another factor causing an alarming increase in oral cancer among younger demographics is the recently discovered link between oral cancer and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Your own dentist or dental hygienist is still the most likely health care professional to detect the early stages of oral cancer. Yet, traditionally, only 40 percent of the U.S. population sees a dentist on a yearly basis. Sadly, most of the 9,000 deaths each year were simply individuals who were not fortunate enough to have had the disease diagnosed early by a dental professional. Even the survivors suffer significant cosmetic, functional and psychological problems from the loss or disfigurement of the mouth, tongue and jaws.
More than 75 percent of the cases of oral cancer are discovered in people over 45 who often have a history of tobacco and alcohol use. Studies show that while tobacco or alcohol by themselves are major risk factors for development of oral cancers, their combined use produces a 15 times greater risk of oral cancer!
Another major concern has been that almost a quarter of the documented cases involved non-smokers and non-drinkers. Surprisingly, many of these confirmed cases, often times women, were people under the age of 40. This represents a drastic diversion from the prevalent “over 45, male, smoker/drinker” connection.
The connection lies with an already known cancer-causing virus; the Human Papilloma Virus — specifically type HPV 16. This is the same virus known to be associated with many of the cervical cancers in women. HPV infected individuals who also use tobacco and alcohol have by far the highest incidence of oral cancers.
What then, should one do to reduce their chances of oral cancer and early detection? First, dental visits twice a year with included oral cancer screening is highly recommended by both the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control. Secondly, tobacco use in any form should be eliminated and alcohol consumed in moderation. The issue with HPV is, in many ways, more controversial. There now exists a vaccine, commonly administered to young females before sexual activity, which protects against certain strains of the HPV virus (including HPV 16). This program was instituted as a way to prevent cervical cancers but is also believed to be effective in prevention of oral cancers. In fact, The FDA recently approved the use of this vaccine for males ages 9-26. However, it is not yet known what affect this will have on the reduction in oral cancer rates.
The bottom line is that this little discussed and deadly cancer is directly related to agents and lifestyles we can readily control. But, most importantly, it is one that can, in many cases, be treated very successfully with early detection.
Dr. James Harding practices dentistry at the Harding Dental Center in Avon. He is a medical provider for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team and is on the teaching staff at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. For more information, call 970-845-9980 or go to www.vailsmiles.com.
With advancements in cancer diagnosis, why is actual prevention and treatment of oral cancer lagging behind other forms of cancer? This answer, while complicated, appears to be related to several factors, including lack of early detection, a continued high rate of tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Another factor causing an alarming increase in oral cancer among younger demographics is the recently discovered link between oral cancer and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Your own dentist or dental hygienist is still the most likely health care professional to detect the early stages of oral cancer. Yet, traditionally, only 40 percent of the U.S. population sees a dentist on a yearly basis. Sadly, most of the 9,000 deaths each year were simply individuals who were not fortunate enough to have had the disease diagnosed early by a dental professional. Even the survivors suffer significant cosmetic, functional and psychological problems from the loss or disfigurement of the mouth, tongue and jaws.
More than 75 percent of the cases of oral cancer are discovered in people over 45 who often have a history of tobacco and alcohol use. Studies show that while tobacco or alcohol by themselves are major risk factors for development of oral cancers, their combined use produces a 15 times greater risk of oral cancer!
Another major concern has been that almost a quarter of the documented cases involved non-smokers and non-drinkers. Surprisingly, many of these confirmed cases, often times women, were people under the age of 40. This represents a drastic diversion from the prevalent “over 45, male, smoker/drinker” connection.
The connection lies with an already known cancer-causing virus; the Human Papilloma Virus — specifically type HPV 16. This is the same virus known to be associated with many of the cervical cancers in women. HPV infected individuals who also use tobacco and alcohol have by far the highest incidence of oral cancers.
What then, should one do to reduce their chances of oral cancer and early detection? First, dental visits twice a year with included oral cancer screening is highly recommended by both the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control. Secondly, tobacco use in any form should be eliminated and alcohol consumed in moderation. The issue with HPV is, in many ways, more controversial. There now exists a vaccine, commonly administered to young females before sexual activity, which protects against certain strains of the HPV virus (including HPV 16). This program was instituted as a way to prevent cervical cancers but is also believed to be effective in prevention of oral cancers. In fact, The FDA recently approved the use of this vaccine for males ages 9-26. However, it is not yet known what affect this will have on the reduction in oral cancer rates.
The bottom line is that this little discussed and deadly cancer is directly related to agents and lifestyles we can readily control. But, most importantly, it is one that can, in many cases, be treated very successfully with early detection.
Dr. James Harding practices dentistry at the Harding Dental Center in Avon. He is a medical provider for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team and is on the teaching staff at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. For more information, call 970-845-9980 or go to www.vailsmiles.com.
