Why Oral Cancer Screenings Are Essential for Tobacco Users
Oral cancer screening may involve looking for cancer even before you have any symptoms. Screening can help your health care provider find cancer at an early stage. When cancer is found early, it is usually easier to treat. By the time any symptoms appear, the cancer may have started to spread. It is important to know that if your dentist suggests a screening test, your provider does not necessarily think you have cancer. Screening tests are usually given even when a patient does not have cancer symptoms.
Oral cancer screening and risk factors
A risk factor is anything that increases the risk of a person developing cancer. It could be a condition, substance or behavior. Most cancers are the result of multiple risk factors. Tobacco is one of the most important risk factors for oral cancer.The risk of developing the disease increases with age and is more prevalent in people over 45. Precancerous conditions of the mouth include erythroplakia and leukoplakia. Even though these conditions are not cancer, they can, in some cases, become cancer if treatment is not sought early. People who have a high chance of getting the disease like tobacco users are always advised to get checked out.
Tobacco use
A very high percentage of oral cancers are linked to tobacco use. All the forms of tobacco increase the risk for this type of cancer. These include cigarettes, pipes, cigars, bidis and smokeless tobacco like snuff and chewing tobacco. The risk of developing oral cancer depends on several factors. These include the frequency of tobacco use and the duration. The risk of oral cancer increases significantly when smoking is combined with drinking alcohol, using smokeless tobacco, or both. If a person continues to smoke after the treatment of oral cancer it will increase the individual’s risk of developing a second oral cancer.Smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes increases the risk for oral cancer. These products are usually linked with cancer of the lip if the products sit on the lips. The use of smokeless tobacco products is associated with cancer of the gums and inner lining of the cheeks and the lips. The tobacco regularly touches or is in contact with these areas.Based on the results of some studies, secondhand smoke can also increase the risk for oral cancer. Cigarette smoking is a dominant risk factor in the U.S. It can lead to the development of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. There is also considered to be a strong relationship between the development of oral premalignancy in the form of erythroplakia and alcohol consumption combined with the use of chewing tobacco.
Bottom line
Many individuals with oral cancers use tobacco in the form of cigarettes, snuff or chewing tobacco. Smoking may lead to cancer in the throat or mouth. Oral tobacco products are usually associated with cancer on the gums, cheeks and inner surface of the lips. It is always recommended for people who smoke or use any form of tobacco to get oral cancer screening tests.Are you considering oral cancer screening in the Roswell area? Get more information at https://www.mariettaroswelldentist.com.Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Cancer Screening in Roswell, GA.
