People generally think of oral cancer as a disease that affects smokers. But did you know that more than 25% of oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke and have no other risk factors?

In this issue, you’ll learn how you and your dentist can work together to take steps to detect oral cancer – a potentially life-saving measure, since oral cancer is successfully treated 90% of the time when found early.

I’m very pleased to announce that you can now see a 360º degree panoramic virtual tour of my office. Simply use your mouse to see the lobby and exam room in full color and detail – up, down, and all around. It’s amazing – as if you’re really in the room!

Oral Cancer: Prevention and Early Detection Saves Lives

By Dr. Helaine Smith

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), oral cancer strikes over 34,000 Americans annually, and over 25% will die of the disease, which claims more lives than melanoma or cervical cancer. And, according to the ADA, recent studies have shown a nearly five-fold increase in the incidence of oral cancer in individuals under age 40, many with no known risk factors.

One likely cause of this cancer? Researchers believe the human papillomavirus (HPV), long known to cause cervical cancer, is transmitted through oral sex. Researchers at John Hopkins compared patients who had oral cancer with those who did not. The study revealed that those patients who had one to five oral sex partners doubled their risk for throat cancer and those with more than five increased their risk by 250% -- and even more worrisome, increased their risk for the HPV-16 strain of the virus by 750%. Over 70% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV Types 16 and 18.

According to the American Cancer Society, HPV may be a factor in the development of around 20% to 30% of oral and oropharyngeal cancers.

What can you do to protect yourself?

• Avoid tobacco and alcohol use.
• Avoid engaging in unprotected oral sex if you’re sexually active and have multiple partners.
• Report any persistent lesions, red or white patches, or spots in your mouth or throat to your dentist as soon as possible.
• Make sure that your dentist conducts a careful screening for oral cancer as part of your regular dental checkup.

As a dentist, I am often my patients’ first line of defense against oral cancer. This is because in addition to doing routine cleanings and fillings, I also check for signs of cancer in the mouth, on the tongue, and along the gums.

And, dentists can now use a new diagnostic tool, ViziLite Plus, to check for oral cancer. ViziLite Plus, which is FDA approved, is a chemiluminescent light source that helps detect potentially cancerous lesions, used in conjunction with a blue phenothiazine dye to mark the lesions.

According to the ViziLite Website, oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

Worried you may be at risk?

If you’re concerned that you may be at increased risk for developing oral cancer, whether because of your age, tobacco use, sexual history, or other risk factors, I encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. I offer a supportive and confidential environment in which you can share your concerns. Please call Mary, our office concierge, to set up your private consultation:

By phone: 617.327.1350 | Through our Website: www.helainesmithdmd.com | Email: helainesmithdmd@aol.com

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