April 2019: Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April 2019 is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Dentists are often the first medical professionals to diagnose oral cancers. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS encourages patients to not only come in for their bi-annual checkups but to also schedule an appointment when any strange symptoms occur. Prevention and early intervention are the keys to a cancer-free life.

 

We provide both oral cancer screenings and regular appointments for patients. If a new or strange symptom appears in your mouth, schedule an appointment. This is especially true if the symptoms have persisted for over two weeks or haven’t healed. This can be a major indicator of something more serious. Be on the lookout for these symptoms:

 

Mouth sores that take over fourteen days to heal, a new or strange coloring of your gums and tissue, lumps or hard spots in your mouth, bumps that bleed easily, and/or a lump on the outside of your neck that has been there for a minimum of two weeks.

 

The symptoms for HPV-caused oropharyngeal cancer differ from the above symptoms. These patients might experience a sore or hoarse throat, a constant cough, a lump on the neck, problems swallowing, and a pain in one or both ears.

 

The major risk factors for oral cancers are heavy smoking. Engaging in any tobacco products is problematic, including chewing tobacco. The other major contributing factor is contracting the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus 16.

 

Do not wait to make an appointment if you or a loved one are experiencing anything mentioned above. Dr. Dipika Shah, DDS is located in Holmdel, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 732-264-8180.

 

Oral Cancer and Alcohol

Holmdel’s Dr. Dipika Shah has been part of the care team for many oral cancer patients. In order to help prevent more people from getting this disease, we at our dental office wanted to pass along the findings of a new report by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) which found a connection between oral cancer and alcohol.

Many people are unaware of the fact that alcohol is a contributor to cancer, but the ASCO found that alcohol is the cause of about 5-6% of new cancer cases each year. That statistic included cancer in the oral cavity and the esophagus. In fact, oral cancer, unlike liver cancer, is something drinkers are at increased risk for even if they only use alcohol in moderation. The type of alcohol consumed (hard liquor vs. beer and wine) did not appear to have any impact, but the risk was heightened if the patient also smoked. Because so many people are unaware that alcohol is carcinogenic, many of them continue to drink alcohol after being diagnosed with cancer and oral chemotherapy is often compromised as a result. We provide oral cancer screenings at Dr. Shah’s office at every dental check-up visit and help our patients to manage medication side-effects such as dry mouth, but we hope this information will lead to fewer cases and better outcomes.

Dr. Dipika Shah, Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, operates at 723 N Beers St, Suite 2F, Holmdel, New Jersey, 07733-1512. To schedule an appointment, call 732-264-8180 or visit Dentist NJ and fill out a contact form.