In 2010, the Canadian Cancer Society identified cancer as the leading cause of death in the country. Oral cancer has been a topic of increasing concern among many patients over the past decade.
In light of the increasing rate of cancer diagnoses, many patients have chosen to undergo oral cancer screening in order to rapidly identify any potential cancers that may arise in the oral cavity. Frequent screenings with Dr. Kamel can foster early interventions that may be needed to prevent the spread of cancer throughout the body. Identifying specific types of oral cancer as early as possible has been shown to increase patient survival rates.
Some classic symptoms and signs can be attributed to oral cancers. These include:
- Small and painless lesions, lumps, or ulcers in the oral cavity
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stubborn mouth sores
There are several risk factors that can contribute to increasing rates of oral cancer, the highest among these are:
- Tobacco use
- Alcohol consumption
- Infection with human papilloma virus (HPV)
Any of these risk factors combined, increases the likelihood of developing oral cancer.
