April 12 - 18, 2010 is National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week

Introduction

Approximately 92,776 people were diagnosed with oral, head and neck cancers in 2009, and an estimated 14,228 died from the disease or its effects.

Early identification of oral, head and neck cancers helps overall survival rates, and lessens the chance of surgeries that can impact a patient’s quality of life. Sixty percent of head and neck cancer patients do not see a doctor or dentist until they are in advanced stages of the disease, where survival rates are low. Screening programs can help significantly - if caught early, the patient’s chance of survival increases.

In an effort to increase public awareness about oral and head and neck cancer, UPMC Cancer Centers joins other organizations nationwide to promote National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week in April. UPMC developed these pages as a resource for learning more about oral and head and neck cancer.

Oral, and head and neck cancer risk factors

Anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Though the precise cause of oral and head/neck cancers are unknown, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing these cancers:

• Age – adults 50+ years old are more likely to be diagnosed with head, neck and oral cancers.
• Gender — Men are more likely to suffer from these cancers than women.
• Ethnicity — The risk of cancer of the nasopharynx is higher for Asians (particularly those with Chinese ancestry).
• Sun Exposure — Lip cancer risk has been associated with UV radiation.
• Tobacco and Alcohol Use – Over 80 percent of patients smoke or chew tobacco and consume large amounts of alcohol. People who use both tobacco and alcohol are at greater risk for developing these cancers than people who use either tobacco or alcohol alone.
• Environmental Exposure — Breathing particles of asbestos, occupational exposure to wood dust, and consumption of certain preservatives or salted foods may lead to cancer of the nasopharynx.
• Radiaction Exposure — People receiving diagnostic x-rays or radiation therapy for noncancerous conditions or cancer have been found to have a raised chance of salivary gland cancer .

Oral and head/neck cancer facts

• Symptoms that are common to several head and neck cancer sites include a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice.
• Eighty-five percent of head and neck cancers are linked to tobacco use.
• Oral cancer can affect many tissues in the mouth. This includes the lips, gums, tongue, salivary glands, and the roof or floor of the mouth.
• Pain when swallowing or ear pain may be a symptom of cancer of the larynx (also known as the voice-box). While pain can be a result of something less serious, a doctor or dentist should be consulted about any persistent pain in the head, neck or mouth.

Sources: American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute

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