Healthy starts in the mouth. This catchy slogan is particularly true for the prevention of cancers of the oral cavity, jaw and throat. Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx rank seventh among malignant tumors in men and fifteenth among women in Germany.
Who is affected?
In Germany, about 7,600 men and 2,800 women are newly diagnosed with cancer of the floor of the mouth, palate, salivary glands, and pharynx each year; people in their early 60s are most likely to be affected. Men are also almost 3 times as likely as women to be affected by precancerous lesions. Every cancer diagnosis hits the sufferers hard. In the case of cancer of the oral cavity, the situation is aggravated by the fact that a disease or surgery on the face is immediately apparent to everyone and can greatly affect the sense of self-worth. It also puts a strain on being with other people because important social functions such as speaking, chewing or swallowing are limited.
Causes and risks
Tumors in the oral cavity are very often caused by smoking and/or alcohol. Very strong or filterless cigarettes, high-proof alcoholic beverages, and especially the combination of smoking and alcohol are particularly dangerous. The risk of developing cancer increases at least up to 6-fold, depending on the amount of tobacco and alcohol consumed – compared to a person who does not smoke or drink alcohol. Since the mid-1990s, the rate of new cases has been declining among men and slowing among women. Other important risk factors include poor dietary habits, especially low intake of fruits and vegetables (and thus too few antioxidants), and poor oral hygiene. For people who do not go for regular dental checkups, the situation is aggravated by the fact that the cancer is often only discovered at a later stage. Chronic sores on the oral mucosa (caused, for example, by sharp tooth or denture edges), chronic fungal infections in the mouth (Candida albicans) and papilloma viruses can also act as contributors to oral cancers. Diabetics are more likely to suffer from – possibly cancer-causing – changes in the oral mucosa than healthy individuals.
Preventing cancers of the oral cavity, jaws, and pharynx
From this, conversely, it becomes clear how this cancer can be effectively prevented: Abstaining from tobacco, infrequent and moderate alcohol consumption, and good oral and dental hygiene (with thorough tooth brushing twice a day and regular dental visits) are good protection, supported by an oral and dental healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, dairy and whole grain products. Recognize oral diseases – these pictures help!
Use biannual dental visits for early detection
As with any cancer, early detection plays a special role: the sooner a tumor is detected, the greater the chances of cure. This is where dentists, as oral health experts, play an important role: they should systematically examine the entire oral cavity at every six-monthly checkup, especially in high-risk patients such as smokers. Anyone who is unsure whether their own dentist will include this examination should simply speak to them briefly at their next appointment and ask them to do so.
Checking the oral cavity
In addition, everyone can contribute to early detection themselves by regularly looking at their oral cavity – in good lighting conditions. If flat, whitish areas that feel hard at the same time are noticed, this should be clarified immediately by a doctor. These may be so-called leukoplakia, flat mucosal changes that cannot be wiped off and that can develop into a malignant tumor of the mucosa (squamous cell carcinoma) as precancerous lesions. Also, extensive, reddish changes or sores in the mouth that have been present for more than two weeks should be evaluated by a physician, dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon as soon as possible.
Checklist: Early detection of oral cavity cancer.
Complaints do not occur with tumors in the oral cavity until they reach an advanced stage – thus, there are no “true” early symptoms. However, the following features may indicate a tumorous process in the oral pharynx and require medical clarification in any case:
- Whitish, reddish or whitish-reddish areas that cannot be wiped off and feel harder than the other oral mucosa
- Chronic sores in the mouth (longer than two weeks).
- Slightly bleeding wounds
- Difficulty swallowing
- Speech impediment or pain when speaking
- “Lumpy feeling” in the area of the floor of the mouth or tongue.
- Difficulty breathing
- Bad breath persisting for a long time
