The word cancer evokes a horrendous feeling in most of us. Though cancer is common, all of us have this unexplained feeling that it can?t happen to us. Since long we have neglected our oral health, little realising that poor oral health may be a cause of Oral Cancer (cancer in the mouth).

Statistics
Recent epidemiological trends suggest that South East Asian countries may have a prevalence rate as high as 21% with India topping the list.  Besides oral cancer constitute 10% of all cancers. Males are affected twice as common and urban population is affected as much as rural.

Etiology
Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with 70-80% of oral cancer cases. Smoke and heat from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes irritate the mucosa of the mouth. Alcohol use (especially when combined smoking )is another high-risk activity associated with oral cancer. We must remember that contrary to the popular  belief that only beedi and other cheaper forms of tobbacco are associated with cancer, refined ciggarates and alcohol are equally harmful.

Also another little known fact is that poor dental hygeine and chronic irritation (such as that from rough teeth, dentures, or fillings) play a significant role in the etiology of oral cancer.

Signs and symptoms

Oral cancer may remain quiscent for a long time with only vague symptoms like difficulty in swalloing, eating, bleeding from the gums or slight pain in the associated teeth as presenting compliaints. It is only at later stages does the frank signs of illness appear but little can be done at that time.

Treatment
Today a number of treatment modalties are available, however the best option is early detection. A thourgh clinical examination by an Alert  dentist is the key to early diagnosis and treatment. Besides a number of investigative modalties like dyes (that  color the cancerous region), x-rays, lasers are availlable as an aid. We must remember that contrary to other cancers Oral cancer is treatable and has excellent prognosis if detected early and an equally bad prognosis if detected in late stages. 25% of people die because of delayed diagnosis.

Prevention    

• Minimize or avoid smoking or other tobacco use. 
• Minimize or avoid alcohol use. 
• Practice good oral hygiene. 
• Have dental problems corrected. 
• Have the soft tissue of the mouth examined once a year. Many oral cancers are discovered by routine dental examination.

Regular Dental Check-ups Important

Regular dental check-ups, including an examination of the entire mouth, are essential in the early detection of cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. You may have a very small, but dangerous, oral spot or sore and not be aware of it.

Your dentist will carefully examine all areas of your mouth. In about 10% of patients, the dentist may notice a flat, painless, white or red spot or a small sore. Although most of these are harmless, some are not. Harmful oral spots or sores often look identical to those that are harmless - testing can tell them apart. If you have a sore with a likely cause, your dentist may treat it and ask you to return for re-examination.

Your dentist has the skills and tools to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified. You and your dentist can fight and win the battle against oral cancer