Self-Examination...the look that can save a life.
Research has determined a number of factors that may contribute to the development of oral cancer - the most common is the use of tobacco and alcohol.  Others include poor oral hygiene, irritation caused by ill-fitting dentures and rough surfaces on teeth, poor nutrition and combinations of these factors. The irritation caused by ill—fitting dentures or rough surfaces can lead to sores or growths in the oral cavity. When left untreated, these sores can cause problems and, in some cases, can lead to cancer. Studies have shown that the death rate from oral cancer is about four times higher for cigarette smokers than that for nonsmokers. It is also widely believed in the medical field that the heat generated by smoking pipes and cigars irritates the mouth and can lead to lip cancer. Excessive exposure to sunlight is another cause of lip cancer.

Those at an especially high risk of contracting oral cancer are males over 40 years of age who are combination heavy drinkers and smokers, or users of smokeless tobacco.

Warning:  Smokeless may cause cancer
The increasing smokeless "rage" can be partially attributed to the use of the product by professional athletes. Many of them, unaware of the product’s potential for causing health problems, endorse smokeless through commercials or just by being seen using it during sporting events. Emulating their sports heroes, youngsters unwittingly begin a habit that can harm them.

With smokeless users picking up the habit at earlier ages, oral and maxillofacial surgeons are seeing an increase in the number of young patients with the earliest symptoms of precancerous lesions. These lesions, called leukoplakia, become malignant (cancer) five percent of the time. Other ill-health effects from smokeless tobacco include increased blood pressure and heart rate, gum disease, early tooth loss, bad breath and discolored teeth.  In reality, all forms of tobacco have a high concentration of carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents and should be avoided.

Don't take a pinch instead of a puff
According to a study by the  National Cancer Institute, snuff dippers are 50 times more likely to get oral cancer than nonusers.   Unfortunately, man users were lured to the habit by the mistaken belief that unless tobacco is lit, it doesn't pose a health hazard.  A new smokeless product comes in prepackaged pouches.  These could be even more hazardous as they concentrate the tobacco in a small area of the mouth.

SEE FOR YOURSELF
Because the mouth is a region where changes can be easily seen, oral cancer can be caught in the early stages. Performing a self-examination regularly will help in early detection.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons recommend that everyone do an oral cancer self-exam once per month. If you are at a high risk for oral cancer — smoker, drinker, user of smokeless tobacco — you should also see your oral and maxillofacial surgeon for an exam yearly.

The things to look for when performing an oral cancer self-examination are:

• reddish patches — erythroplasia
• whitish patches — leukoplakia
• a sore that fails to heal and bleeds easily
• a lump or thickening of the tissues
• chronic sore throat or hoarseness
• difficulty in chewing or swallowing

To complete an oral examination, using a bright light and a mirror:

• remove dentures
• look and feel inside of lips, front of gums
• tilt head back to look a t and feel the roof of your mouth
• pull the cheek out to see the inside and also to see the back gums
• put out your tongue, look at all surfaces
• feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in both sides of the neck and under the lower jaw

If you have any of these signs, see your oral and maxillofacial surgeon immediately.  Early detection and treatment lead to a better chance of cure.