Prevention of oral cancer

Abstract

Oral cancer has become a major debilitating incidence in both genders alike. Oral cancer, a part of head and neck cancer, is a combination of two types of cancer: oral cavity cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. The most common type of oral cancer is the squamous cell carcinoma which represents more than 90% of oral cancer cases. There are in existence common types of oral cancer as well, in addition to precancerous or benign lesions and tumors. These lesions and tumors may lead to cancer if left untreated. There is an increased need to combat oral cancer and its benign or malignant precursors. There is no better way of starting this battle than prevention. Prevention against oral cancer is divided into three stages, namely, primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention has its manifestations in the control and/or elimination of risk factors for cancer such as tobacco smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, chewing betel quid, prolonged sunlight exposure, and improper nutrition, among others. Secondary prevention encompasses screening tests and early diagnosis and treatment of diseases that may potentially cross over into malignancy. Tertiary prevention is indicated when a person has previously had cancer or oral cancer, also when a person is immunosuppressed or has GVHD due to stem cell transplant. This stage also includes gene mutation assessment, an estimate of personal cancer risk and seeking of personalized genetic recommendations. Current research also focuses on emerging gene therapy through employing adenoviruses. This chapter will address and focus on the aforementioned prevention strategies, elaborating and expanding on risk factors and how to decrease chances of developing oral cancer. Additionally we will look at barriers against prevention developing an intricate and complete picture of the links between methods of prevention and factors that hinder prevention. In exploring the details within the chapter, one can conclude that oral cancer is a disease that is preventable and controllable but habitually has been given little significance due to many factors. Oral cancer is typically discovered late in its development, most often when it has already metastasized to the lymph nodes, at which point prognosis becomes very poor. Therefore, we firmly believe that it is no longer viable that prevention be considered a person’s own responsibility but rather a matter of a group of health professionals. Oral cancer should be prevented through creating awareness, behavioral change, routine dental checkups, and policies that eradicate exposure to risk factors.