By Renae Williams, 3rd Year Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) Student

Oral cancer does not exactly strike fear into the hearts of the masses. However, unlike other diseases, oral cancer is rarely spoken about and when most people hear about it they don’t feel that awestricken remorse that one gets when they find out someone has breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. Even research into this disease has been limited, despite the equal lethalness of this cancer. For this reason, the College of Oral Health Sciences, at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Ja.) has embarked on a nationwide initiative to raise awareness about oral cancer.

What is Oral Cancer and what causes it?

Like prostate, breast and cervical cancer, oral cancer is amenable to early detection and treatment. The disease may present itself as a malignancy of the lips, tongue, floor of mouth, salivary glands, inner cheeks, gums, or the roof of the mouth.

Smoking of tobacco accounts for 90% of all cases of oral cancer. However, other risk factors also include alcohol abuse, poor dental and oral hygiene, and chronic irritation such as rough teeth and dentures. HPV is also closely linked to the condition.

How can Oral Cancer be prevented/treated?

Oral cancer is preventable! Simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy diet, smoking cessation and minimal alcohol consumption are significant preventative measures. Treatment modalities include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy (often in combination). However, “prevention is better than cure.” Surgery, usually entails the removal of a part of the mandible (lower jaw), radiation therapy which affects saliva production and chemotherapy which causes hair loss.

Dr. Suzanne Grey, a faculty member, College of Oral Health Sciences and President of the Help Jamaica Smile Foundation and I, the deputy student representative has led the charge in raising awareness of oral cancer. Dr. Grey said “Being aware of the signs of oral cancer is crucial especially in Jamaica as a lot of patients that present with the disease are at advanced stages that inevitably lead to greater morbidity that could have easily been avoided by a simple oral cancer screening at a dentist”.

Dr. Irving Mckenzie, Chief Dental Officer for the Ministry of Health and interim Dean, UTech, Jamaica’s College of Oral Health Sciences also endorses the initiative noting that “we are seeing the patients with oral cancer too late. So even though oral cancer may not be as prevalent as breast cancer and cervical cancer, the case fatality rate in Jamaica is significantly high. Survivors of oral and pharyngeal cancer often end up being socially recluse because of the significant facial disfigurement and loss of functionality.”