Not Just Smokers get Oral Cancer

Rates of deadly disease is on the rise.
According to Health Canada oral cancer is thirteenth most common cancer.

Risk factors for developing oral cancer:
  • Smoking particularly when combined with heavy alcohol consumption
  • Excessive sun exposure to the lips.
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
  • Diet low in fruit and vegetables.
  • Age; most common in people over 50. (Recently it has been on the rise with younger generations as young as early twenties-having multiple sex partners, a partner who has had numerous partners and having a weakened immune system)
  • Gender 2:1 ratio of men to women
Symptoms may include:
  • Sore lip or sore in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks
  • Sore throat that does not go away or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
  • Lump on lip, in the mouth and throat
  • White or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth
  • Unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth
  • Difficulty or pain chewing or swallowing
  • Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures fit poorly or become uncomfortable

Please make an appointment and have an Oral Cancer Screening exam today.
(source: The Ontario Dental Association).