Oral Cancer - Diagnosis, Cause and Prevention

Oral Cancer Facts:

According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone. Over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors:

Tobacco use is the number one risk factor in oral cancer. Studies have shown that at least 75% of those diagnosed were either current or former tobacco users.  Combining alcohol use with tobacco has been proven to have a 15% greater risk of developing oral cancer than tobacco use alone. Age and prolonged exposure to radiation or sunlight are contributing factors as well.

Oral Cancer Signs & Symtoms:

Unfortunately, in its early stages, oral cancer can go unnoticed. Oral Cancer could look like a common ulcer, cold sore or a discoloration of tissue. Fortunately, your dentist can see or feel if a lesion looks cancerous. If you have any type of lesion in your mouth, or on your lips, that doesn’t heal within two weeks, or a difficulty in swallowing for a prolonged period of time, it is very important to see your dentist right away.

Oral Cancer Treatment:

If your dentist does find a suspicious lesion in your mouth, he may remove it, but will most likely send you to a specialist for a removal and biopsy, which is a painless procedure. If oral cancer is detected early enough, it could be treated with surgery alone. Radiation combined with surgery would more than likely be used if the cancer is in its advanced stages.

Oral Cancer Prevention:

The best preventions of oral cancer are not to use tobacco of any kind and only drink alcohol in moderation. Avoid prolonged exposure to sun or use a sunscreen on your lips. Visit your dentist every 6 months for regular check ups. When your dentist examines your mouth at your routine check up appointments, he is also screening you for oral cancer. This process only takes about 90 seconds and consists of a visual examination for any presence of cancer.

Summary:

Although the number of deaths each year from oral cancer is astounding, it is highly curable if diagnosed early. Prevention is a key factor in oral cancer and a 90 second dental examination could save your life.

Osteoporosis medications and jaw complications

Osteoporosis medications and the risk of developing jaw complications

Osteoporosis is a serious skeletal disorder that weakens bones and increases the risk of developing fractures. It affects about 10 million Americans, 8 million of them women. Another 34 million are at risk of developing osteoporosis. This disorder affects more owmen than cancer, heart disease and stroke combined. Many patients are treated with a group of prescription drugs called "oral bisphosphonates." Examples include alendronate (Fosamax, Merck & Co., Whitehouse Station, N.J.), risedronate (Actonel, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati) and ibandronate (Boniva, Roche, Nutley, N.J.).

Osteonocrosis of the Jaws
Jaw complications linked to the use of these drugs are a growing concern. That is because the drugs have been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ), an uncommon but potentially serious condition that can cause severe destruction of the jawbones. News reports have alarmed and confused many patients who receive these drugs to prevent or treat osteoporosis. Most cases of ONJ have been seen in patients with cancer who receive treatment with intravenous bisphosphonates. The true risk posed by oral bisphosphonates remains uncertain.
Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures
The risks of osteoporosis, especially the development of bone fractures, are serious. Fractures of the spinal column and hip are the most common osteoporosis problems, and hip fractures can be life-threatening. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that an average of 24 percent of patients 50 years and older with hip fractures die within one year of their injury. One in five patients with hip fracture ends up in a nursing home. Six months after experiencing a hip fracture, only 15 percent of patients are able to walk across a room without help. A woman’s risk of experiencing a hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

It is estimated that alendronate may reduce by 40 percent the risk of experiencing a hip fracture in patients with osteoporosis. Thus, it is possible that the drug could prevent more than 100,000 hip fractures and tens of thousands of deaths each year. Given the risks assocatied with osteoporosis and the proven benefits of oral bisphosphonate therapy, you should never stop taking these medications before discussing the matter fully with your physician.

Tell Your Dentist
If your physician prescribes an oral bisphosphonate, it is important to tell your dentist so that your health history form can be updated. Because some dental procedures, such as extractions, may increase your risk of developing ONJ, the American Dental Association (ADA) has published treatment guidelines for patients receiving bisphosphonate therapy. The medical and dental communities continue to study ways to prevent and treat ONJ to ensure the safest possible result for dental patients taking bisphosphonates.
The ADA believes your physician serves as the best source of information regarding your need for oral bsiphosphonates. Given the significant benefits of these medications for osteoporosis, your physician may recommend that you continue receiving oral bisphosphonate treatment despite the slight risk of developing ONJ. While neither your physician nor your dentist can eliminate the possibility of developing ONJ, regular dental visits and maintaining excellent oral hygiene are essential in helping to avoid this significant complication.