Patient Area

Identifying the Risks

Anyone can get oral cancer, which includes cancer of the mouth, lip and throat, certain factors can increase your risk:
 

• Smoking tobacco - 5x – 9x increased risk
   
• Smokeless tobacco - 75% of daily users develop lesions
   
• Alcohol use - 9x – 30x increase risk (more than 1 drink/day for women; more than 2 drinks/day for men)
   
• Sexual activity - >50% of oral cancers are related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Risk factors in non-smokers:

• Second hand smoke (SHS)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Poor diet
• Occupational exposures
• Socioeconomic status (SES0)
• Immunodeficiency
• Mouthwash (alcohol-based) use
• Poor oral hygiene
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Oral lichen planus

Potential mouth and throat cancer symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Ear pain
• Changes in voice or speech
• Sore in mouth greater than 3 weeks (painful / non-painful)
• Bad breath
• Lump in neck
• Lump in mouth or throat
• Sense of something stuck in throat
• Poorly fitting dentures / problems with teeth

Early diagnosis can DOUBLE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.  Early detection is critical.