Oral Cancer Prevention and Screening

Your Risk:

The oral cavity is made up of various parts of the mouth including the lips, lip and cheek linings, teeth, tongue, gums, and jaw. Oral cancer can affect any or all of these areas. The number of new cases of oral cancer, as well as the number of deaths from oral cancer, has been decreasing. Factors that place a person at higher risk for oral cancer, are:

• Tobacco and alcohol use – Tobacco use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco) is responsible for most cases of oral cancer. Alcohol, particularly beer and hard liquor, are associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer. Avoiding or stopping the use of tobacco and/or alcohol will decrease the risk of oral cancer;
• Age – The risk of developing oral cancer increases after 45 years of age.

Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center Screening Recommendations:

• Ages 18-34: Yearly as part of dental exam;
• Ages 35-49: Yearly as part of dental exam;
• Ages 50+: Yearly as part of dental exam.

Our Resources Include:

• The Head and Neck Oncology Program provides evaluation, testing and treatment for patients with oral premalignant lesions, those at high risk for head and neck cancers, and patients who have developed one of these cancers. Clinic staff carry out detailed history and examination, as well as provide comprehensive management and follow-up for patients at risk, including access to the latest clinical studies in treatment, prevention, and surveillance.