Cancer | American Oral Cancer Foundation

Using Technology to Detect Oral Cancer

BRIGHTON, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Dental hygiene s...

It is impossible to see every angle of your mouth to know when something is wrong. Often, the first clue is a pain; however, it is very hard to tell whether it is a simple problem that is easily fixed or a more devastating diagnosis, such as oral cancer. This where the dentist employs all the tools of the trade to fix what is wrong.

One of those tools is gathering all the information possible once oral cancer is suspected. The dentist uses X-rays, a physical exam and healthcare informatics to determine the diagnosis of cancer. The X-rays give an underlying visual picture of the mouth, the physical exam is the basic evaluation of the teeth and gums, and healthcare informatics is a collaboration of knowledge about the cancer and the patient’s history.

With this knowledge, the dentist can determine the precise area the cancer is in, how big the cancer is and the best approach to either removing the cancer or treating it. While it is little comfort to hear such a diagnosis made, it does help to hear that the dentist has a plan of action for the cancer.

It is through the advances in technology and information that dentists have the tools to detect oral cancer early on. Treatment can minimize the area in your mouth that is affected, and technology can increase the chance that the cancer can be successfully treated. Taking this into consideration, you can see why it is important to make regular trips to the dentist to ensure that your mouth stays in a healthy condition.

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Cancer Patients

While the various treatments for cancer can be effective in eliminating cancer and cancerous growths, there isn’t a lot of medicine available to help alleviate the side-effects of various cancer treatments. Those being treated for cancer often suffer severe nausea, loss of appetite, and general pain and discomfort, none of which can be masked or hidden by any additional amount of chemicals.

For this reason, many Americans undergoing cancer treatment will often seek solace in Canada, where in some cities, marijuana has been decriminalized. Though marijuana, for various reasons, has been culturally stigmatized as a dangerous and illegal substance, for those suffering from the ill effects of cancer treatment, marijuana can actually be a step towards healing. Among other resources, Canada 411 is an excellent information database for those seeking alternative options to their cancer treatments.

One of the main benefits medical marijuana offers cancer patients is reduced nausea and an increased ability to digest food. This means that cancer patients can get more nutrients and calories to help aid in the healing and treatment process. Additionally, the effects of marijuana can help calm the nerves of patients nervously awaiting the outcome of their cancer diagnoses. For patients with types of oral cancer, marijuana can be administered through a nebulizer, and the patient will receive the same benefits of marijuana without the inhalation of smoke. Many medical outlets sell vaporizers for this purpose.

There are fifteen American states that have legalized medical marijuana, and in Canada, marijuana possession is not considered illegal. Some people still attach an amount of negativity to the drug, though statistically speaking, it is not nearly as dangerous as alcohol or other, more damaging substances, some of which can be obtained with a doctor’s note. It is natural, harmless (especially if taken with a nebulizer), and can aide difficult healing processes.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer Tagged With: Cancer, Medical cannabis, United States

Some Facts About Cancer

Cancer is not an incurable disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can cure cancer completely. There are mainly three types of treatments in cancer. They are Chemotherapy, Radiation and Surgery. Chemotherapy is the treatment using drugs. Either solid tablets or liquid injections are used. Either a single drug or combinations of drugs are used. Chemotherapy is used either to decrease the intensity or to cure cancer. Chemotherapy is done as a number of courses. Powerful medicines are used in this.

So the patient may experience some difficulties. In radiation, cancerous cells are burnt using powerful energy radiations. Surgery is done if the cancer is restricted to a particular part or organ of the body. Usually a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery is used in the treatment, depending upon the type and intensity of the disease. If the patient is in advanced stage of cancer, palliative care is given. A healthy life can prevent cancer up to 35-40 %. Fast foods, processed foods, smoking, alcohol consumption and increased consumption of non vegetarian food can cause cancer.

Exercises are effective in some cases. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are example. A regular exercise up to 30 minutes can prevent these cancers to a greater extent. Cancer is not a single type. There are about 200-250 types of cancer. So, a single vaccination to prevent all types of cancer is not practically possible. But researches are in progress. Recently, a vaccine is developed which can be used against cervical cancer. Others are in experimental stage. Over consumption of non vegetarian food may cause some differences in the DNA structure of the cell and may lead to uncontrolled cell division. This may lead to cancer.

Filed Under: Health Tips Tagged With: Cancer

Avoiding Oral Cancer with Regular Trips to the Dentist

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While most people make an annual trip to the doctor for a health physical, many are avoiding the dentist for various reasons. Regular trips to the dentist are an important part of detecting and then preventing Oral Cancer.

A yearly visit to the dentist is a superb way for this dental-health professional to assess not only the health of your teeth, but also detect any early signs of oral cancer.

It’s no secret that those who use tobacco products increase their chances of developing oral cancer. If you think the only tobacco product that can cause oral cancer is smokeless tobacco or chew (sometimes called snuff), you would be mistaken. Smoking cigarettes also greatly increases the chances of developing oral cancer as the ingestion of the tobacco product is nearly as harmful as chewing tobacco. Electronic cigarettes have become a healthier option for smokers who are concerned about developing this cancer of the mouth.

The most common sign of Oral Cancer would be finding a sore in the mouth. It’s important to pay attention if a sore in your mouth lingers as many people have cold-sores or canker sores especially during the winter months. If you have a sore that persists for more than 10 days, it’s crucial to get to a dentist for early detection.

Oral Cancer is not always detected in the mouth. For some, their first sign of a problem might come in the form of a lump in the neck. The beginnings of oral cancer can just as easily start in the neck as opposed to the mouth.

Other signs of oral cancer can be problems swallowing or a certain loss of feeling sensation in parts of the mouth. For any kind of lumps or loss of feeling or inability to swallow, consult with a physician or a dentist if a problem persist more than a week.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer, Smoking Tagged With: Cancer, Health, Oral Cancer, Tobacco

What is Oral Cancer?

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Oral Cancer is also referred to as Lip Cancer, Mouth Cancer, Pharynx Cancer, Oral Cavity Cancer, Mouth Cancer, Sinus Cancer, Cheek Cancer, Tongue Cancer and Throat Cancer.

The American Cancer Society claim that men are two times at risk for the development of Oral Cancer than women. Men who are over 50 years old are deemed at the greatest risk.

By nature Cancer is defined as cells which grow uncontrollably invading and damaging all surrounding tissues. When one has oral cancer it begins with a sore or growth that remains perpetually. When it is not diagnosed or treated in a timely manner it can become life threatening.

In its earliest stages Oral Cancer can actually go unnoticed, thus making it incredibly dangerous. At the start it can be painless, and very little physical changes might be noticed.

There are many symptoms and signs of oral cancer. Some of the most common signs include thickening and swelling of the area in question, rough and eroded areas located among the gums, lips, exterior, and interior of the oral cavity. The occurrence of white, red or white and red patches within the mouth. Individuals with Oral Cancer might discover numbness without explanation, tenderness and aches and pains (feeling sore and unable to swallow). Throat/Oral Cancer has been known to cause bleeding without cause, a hard time swallowing and chewing.

Other symptoms of Oral Cancer can be dramatic weight loss, a noticeable difference in your bite (the way your teeth seem to fit together,) constant pain in the throat, change or hoarseness in the voice, sores that remain persistent on the neck, face or mouth that have difficulty healing.

Smoking cigarettes,cigars or pipes, using smokeless tobacco products, a family history of cancer, heightened exposure to the sun, having HPV, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet leave individuals at a greater risk for developing Oral Cancer.

Filed Under: Oral Cancer, Oral Health Care Tagged With: American Cancer Society, Cancer, Oral Cancer

Studies Show Black Raspberries Slow the Progression of Oral Cancer

Within the last ten years black raspberries have become a big player in slowing the spread of one of the most common and deadliest cancers- oral cancer. During the last decade the incredible impact of black raspberries on oral cancer have become more and more evident as it has been determined that the berry contains a chemical and antioxidant property (ellagic acid) which acts as an anti tumor agent.

Oral cancer is simply cancer of the mouth which includes the throat, tongue, larynx, and anything associated with the oral cavity, it also sometimes affects the face and neck and can sometimes interfere with an individual’s ability to speak, breathe, and swallow.

Recently rats were injected with cancer-causing substances and then fed a diet rich in berries, it was determined that the berry-fed rats had 80 percent few tumors deemed malignant, whereas rats on a diet lacking in berries faired far worse. In 2002 it was discovered in hamsters that the inclusion of black raspberries in a diet aided in the suppression of tumor development in the mouth and surrounding areas.

Advocate for the reduction of cancer risk via a diet of fruits and veggies, Dr. Gary Stoner of Ohio State University believes that if research continues in a positive direction that the black raspberry could legitimately aid in the role of starting to eliminate not just oral cancers but other cancer strains as well.

Currently there is no hard evidence that black raspberries will cure cancer, slow its onset, or prevent it. but ellagic acid is being sold as a supplement boasting health properties based on studies conducted by Hollings Cancer Center Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Minnesota and the Ohio State University (which is responsible for conducting the majority of the research and having the most extensive list of accomplishments.)

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer Tagged With: Cancer, Ohio State University, Oral Cancer

What is the typical treatment for oral cancer?

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Once a doctor has determined the diagnosis and stage of oral cancer in a particular individual it is then important for a plan of treatment to be designed to fit the needs of the specific patient. Oral cancer treatments depend upon a range of factors which include size, type, location, and stage of the disease. The patient’s general health and age is also taken into account by the physician. It is then determined whether or not chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of the available treatment methods.

Prior to beginning a treatment the majority of patients are required to have a full dental exam. Cancer treatments typically cause the mouth to become more sensitive, and additionally infected more easily. Doctors typically tell patients to have any needed or required dental work taken care of before the start of treatment as once treatment begins it might be too uncomfortable.

It is important for cancer patients to know a significant amount about their disease and choices for treatment so that an active role can be taken in the decision making process. A patient should always ask any and all questions for their physician. Some patients find that making a list of questions prior to the appointment with their physician will make it easier to remember what needs to be asked, and how the doctor responds.

Making decisions regarding treatment can be difficult, a patient might want to have multiple doctors review the diagnosis and the planned course of action for treatment. There is an extensive amount to learn about an individual’s cancer and treatment options. Getting a second opinion will not cause a significant delay in treatment but will give the patient a sound mind when making such a life altering decision.

There are a variety of options, and patients should keep an open mind regarding things such as clinical trials, which might offer up treatment methods that work, and help that are not readily available to the public.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer Tagged With: Cancer, Health, Oral Cancer

What are the available treatment methods for Oral Cancer?

Patients diagnosed with oral cancer are typically treated by a team of physicians and specialists among which could potentially include an ear, nose, and throat surgeon, a general oral surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a dentist, a reconstructive surgeon, a dietitian, a nurse, a social or hospice worker and a speech therapist.

Typically treatment begins with surgery designed to remove the tumor for the oral cavity. If it has been determined that the cancer has spread the surgeon will also remove lymph nodes in the neck or conduct more operations if the disease has spread throughout the body.

Some patients are treated utilizing radiation therapy, which capitalizes on the use of high-energy rays from a large machine designed to force the damage of cancer cells and to also hinder further growth. Much like surgery, radiation therapy only damages or works on the cells in the treated area.

Radiation therapy can be administered to patients both before or after surgery. When radiation therapy is utilized before a surgery it helps to shrink the tumor for a greater chance of removal. When used post surgery radiation therapy helps to destroy any potentially remaining cancer cells to reduce the chances of the cancer surviving and continuing to spread.

Sometimes radiation therapy is used alone for tiny tumors located in the mouth, sometimes radiation therapy is used in combination with surgery or even additionally chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is when a physician uses drugs in an attempt to kill cancerous cells. Researchers are constantly adding new drugs to the combination which might aid in the treatment of oral cancers. Chemotherapy works with other forms of cancer treatment in an attempt to shrink and destroy tumors to prevent the spreading of the disease.

Often times oral cancer is treatable with a variety or combination of these methods.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer Tagged With: Cancer, Oral Cancer, Radiation therapy, Surgery

What are the treatment side effects of Oral Cancer?

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Because it is hard to place limitations on cancer treatment so that only cancerous cells are removed, impacted or destroyed many healthy cells and tissues are often victimized during the road to recovery thus causing side effects for the patient.

With each patient the side effects of treatment could potentially vary. Factors which may make a difference in and individual’s side effects experienced may include the type, and duration of the treatment as well as the area of the body being treated. As always, different strokes for different folks and the body chemistry is going to play a role in determining how a person responds to treatment. Some side effects of treatment are temporary while some might be permanent. Physicians typically make it a point to plan each patient’s treatment in a manner which reduces the number of side effects experienced. Patients are monitored closely so that issues can be handled quickly.

Surgery designed to remove small tumors doesn’t typically leave a patient with issues, larger tumors sometimes require removal of full portions of the mouth, jaw, or tongue and could leave a patient with an inability to swallow, talk or chew as well as a difference in physical appearance. Post surgery a patient could notice a swollen face or jaw, this dissipates after a few weeks, in some instances it might last a while.

Patients may experience sore mouth, a reduction in saliva (also referred to as dry mouth), decline in the health of a patient’s teeth or gums, mouth sores, cracked or peeling lips and weight loss.

Cancer side effects and treatments are different for each individual patient, and could even be different from one treatment to the next with an individual patient. Doctors, nurses and dietitians can easily explain to patients what they might experience based on their particular method of treatment.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Oral Cancer, Oral Health Care Tagged With: Adverse effect, Cancer, Management of cancer, Mouth ulcer

All About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States. There are several reasons that could be behind this rise in the rate of skin cancer diagnosis. Many people believe that more widely known symptoms have encouraged people to seek a doctor’s advice for any type of skin lesions or imperfection that might be cancerous. This has resulted in many people being diagnosed in the early stages of skin cancer rather than the later stages. In general, the early skin cancer, and indeed, any cancer, is diagnosed, then the better the odds are of getting rid of the cancer itself.

An overexposure to the sun is likely to be the primary cause of most cases of skin cancer. In spite of repeated warnings to the contrary, many people still frequent beaches on a regular basis without using an adequate sun screen that is designed to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun. In another common scenario, many people might use sun screen initially, but they fail to reapply it as the instructions state that they need to do so in order to ensure that they are receiving the full benefits of the sun screen.

Tanning bed usage is another common way that people get skin cancer. Tanning beds are not a safe way to get a tan. They still expose vulnerable skin to the harmful rays that can cause skin cancer. The majority of people who use tanning beds believe that they are a safer alternative to getting a tan from the sun. For this reason, few, if any, people use any form of sun screen when they are using a tanning bed. To use such a product would essentially defeat the purpose of paying to use a tanning bed in order to obtain a tan for most people.

Filed Under: Oral Cancer, Oral Health Care Tagged With: Cancer, Skin neoplasm, United States