Oral Cancer

1. Oral Cancer

2. What Is Oral Cancer? • Oral cancers can affect the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. • There are two kinds: 1. Oropharyngeal cancer develops in the part of the throat just behind the mouth, which is called the oropharynx. 2. Oral cavity cancer starts in the mouth. Oral Cancer

3. The American Cancer Society’s Estimates • In the United States during 2008: • 35,310 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed. • 7,590 deaths will occur as the result of this disease. Oral Cancer

4. Who Is At Risk? • Oral cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women. This is because men are more likely to use tobacco and alcohol in large enough doses to cause these cancers. • Men over 40 are at greatest risk. • African Americans are more likely than Whitesto be diagnosed withoral cancer. Oral Cancer

5. What Are Other Risk Factors? • 90% of patients with oral cancers use tobacco. • 75–80% of patients with oral cancers drink alcohol frequently. • More than 30% of patients with lip cancers have outdoor jobs associated with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Oral Cancer

6. Other Risk Factors • A diet that is low in Vitamin A has been linked to oral cancers. • Human papillomavirus (HPV)may contribute to 20% of oral cancers. Oral Cancer

7. Reducing Your Risks • Most oral cancers can be prevented by: • Quitting tobacco • Limiting alcohol use • Eating a healthy, balanced diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day • Lip cancers can be prevented by avoiding unprotected sun exposure, as well as pipe and cigar tobacco. Oral Cancer

8. Symptoms • The most common symptom is a sore in themouth that bleeds easily and does not heal. • Other symptoms include: • Pain in the mouth that does not go away • A lump or thickening in the cheek • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth • A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat • Difficulties in chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw (late symptoms) Oral Cancer

9. Detection Methods • The American Cancer Society recommends that: • Primary care doctors and dentists examine the mouth and throat as part of a routine check-up. • People, especially those at higherrisk, must take an active role in detecting oral cancer early bydoing monthly self-examinationsusing a mirror to check for any signs or symptoms. Oral Cancer

10. Treatment • Treatment is most successful when cancer is detected early. • Often two or more treatment methods are used. • Patients should thoroughly discusstreatment options with their doctors. Oral Cancer

11. Treatment Options • Radiation therapy and surgery are the main methods of treatment for oral cancer. • Surgery – An operation to remove cancer cells. • Radiation therapy – Uses high-energy rays to shrink or kill cancer cells. • In advanced cancer, chemotherapy may be used in combination with either treatment. • Chemotherapy – Uses anticancer drugs that attack cancer cells and normal cells. The drugs areusually given by injection or by mouth. Oral Cancer

12. Survival Rates • 5-year localized survival rate is 82% • Localized cancer is cancer that, at the time of diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate. • 5-year overall survival rate is 59% • The 5-year survival rates represent persons who are living 5 years after diagnosis, whether disease-free, in remission, or under treatment. They do not imply that 5-year survivors have been permanently cured of cancer. Oral Cancer

13. How Will Cancer Affect Me And My Family? • From the time of diagnosis, everyone is affectedin some way, even family and friends. • The American Cancer Society works to enhance aspects of life often challenged by this disease through: • Reducing the physical toll of cancer. • Reducing barriers to allow those affected to continue with their day-to-day lives. • Reducing the social and financial impact of cancer. • Preserving the spiritual well-being of those affected. Oral Cancer

14. Patient Concerns • People with oral cancers often feel social stigma and guilt associated with their history of tobacco and alcohol use and self-consciousness due to the disfiguring effects of some oral cancers. • Other concerns include: • Fear of recurrence • Pain • Sexual problems Oral Cancer

15. Additional Concerns • Oral cancer patients and survivors may also be concerned about: • Fatigue • Depression • Sleep difficulties • Changes in what they are able to do after treatment • Impact of cancer on finances and loved ones Oral Cancer

16. You Are Not Alone • In recent years, the quality of life for those who are living with cancer has received increased attention. • No one has to make the cancer journey alone. • The American Cancer Society provides sources of information and support to cancer patients, their families, and friends. These include access to secure and private online chats, message boards, and support groups. Oral Cancer

17. Connecting With Others • ACS Survivors NetworkSM is one source of support for people with cancer and their families and friends. The Network will help you find and talk to others who share your interests and experiences. • There are two ways to participate: 1. Visit our Internet site atwww.acscsn.org. 2. Call our toll-free number, 24 hours a day at 1–877–333–HOPE. Oral Cancer

18. Hope For The Future • Since the early 1980s, the incidence and death rates for oral cancers have been decreasing. Researchers, health care providers, educators, and others are examining ways to extend this trend. • Education and prevention activities that lower the rate of tobacco use among young people would also lower their chances of developing oral cancer. Oral Cancer

19. Hope For The Future • Scientists are researching and developing better methods of treating oral cancer, including: • New drugs to block the effect of tumor growth factors. These factors found in some cancer cells cause the cells to grow faster than normal. • New methods of administering chemotherapy drugs. • The effectiveness of twice-a-day radiation regimens. • Scientists are also studying vaccines against HPV, since some oral cancers contain DNA from these viruses. Oral Cancer

20. The Bottom Line • Most oral cancers could be prevented if people did not use tobacco or drink heavily. • Quitting tobacco and limiting alcohol use sharply reduce any risk of oral cancer, even after many years of use. • Many oral cancers may be found early by routine screening or self-examination. Oral Cancer

21. Contact The American Cancer Society • American Cancer Society programs and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • To reach us: • Visit the American Cancer Society Internet site at www.cancer.org. • Call toll-free, 1–800–ACS–2345. Oral Cancer

22. Additional Resources • National Cancer InstituteCancer Information Service Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (toll free)Internet: www.nci.nih.gov • Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck CancerTelephone: 1–800–377–0928 (toll free)Internet: www.spohnc.org • Let’s Face It USATelephone: 360–676–7325Internet: www.faceit.org Oral Cancer