Oral cancer is a common form of cancer in the United States. Over the last 30 years, oral cancer has decreased in both prevalence and lethality due to improved early-detection methods and greater awareness on the part of the patient. Increased vigilance in reporting potential early signs of cancer has also led to lower lethality rates.
Men have more than double the rate of a diagnosis of oral cancer than women. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), approximately 52,000 adults are diagnosed annually with a form of oral cancer. Of those adults, roughly 37,000 are men, clearly indicating that men need to remain vigilant about checking for signs of oral cancer.
The American Cancer Society states that the average age of oral cancer diagnosis is 62 years of age. They further elaborate that about 25 percent of oral cancer patients receive an initial diagnosis below age 55, meaning that 75 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer are over 55 years of age.
Several bad habits can increase the chances of a diagnosis of oral cancer. Excessive smoking is one of the leading factors. The carcinogens and other chemicals ingested when smoking kill tissue inside the body. Examinations of people diagnosed with oral cancer often result in a discovery of black or otherwise rotted parts of the mouth and throat.
Although alcohol may not directly play a part in causing cancer, excessive alcohol consumption can harm the cells in the body that are responsible for repairing damage caused by the chemicals inhaled from smoking. If the cells are damaged or destroyed, the chemicals can run rampant.
It is quite possible that a person could avoid all other risk factors, but still receive an unwanted diagnosis. No amount of prevention can address a simple case of bad luck in the gene pool. A family history of other types of cancer is also a leading indicator of the potential for oral cancer. It is therefore vital to remain vigilant.
Estimated rates of oral cancer in the United States show that of those approximately 52,000 diagnoses mentioned earlier, nearly 11,000 will die from complications directly related to the disease. While that number is still high, it means that the chances of surviving oral cancer are about 4-out-of-5, or an 80 percent chance.
When evaluating cancer statistics, the five-year survival rate measures what percentage of people live five years after their initial diagnosis. According to the ASCO, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer is roughly 65 percent. If the cancer is detected early, this number raises to 84 percent. Once again, early detection is key to diagnosis and survival.
Oral cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in the United States. Its rates are falling over time, thankfully, but it is still important to check oneself regularly and see a medical professional if oral cancer is a possibility.
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