Research Paper-Capstone

Over 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer in the US per year. Oral cancer is a cancer that is more common in people over the age of 45, but can occur at any age. Oral cancer can develop in any part of the mouth. “... Oral cancer- it is cancer that occurs in any part of the mouth; on the tongue’s surface, in the lips, inside the cheek, in the gums, in the roof and floor of the mouth, in the tonsils, and also the salivary glands”.(Salomon and Esposito; Dental Partners) Oral cancer, although devastating and destructive can be detected, prevented, treated and cured if it is found early on in its stages. Cancer is detected by dentist because there is a genetic mutation in the cell usually causing tumors within the initial area of effect. Oral cancer can be prevented, diagnosed and treated.

Oral cancer can be prevented. Cancer prevention is the action taken to reduce one's risks of getting cancer. Preventing oral cancer can be accomplished in just a few easy steps. Things that increase the chances of getting oral cancer are called a risk factors and things that decrease the chances of getting oral cancer are called cancer protective factors. One may be able to avoid some risk factors, but others cannot be avoided, such as inheriting certain genes that may cause cancer can not be avoided, but changing ones eating habits, not smoking and not chewing any types of tobacco is likely to decrease one's chances of getting oral cancer. There is no way of fully preventing oral cancer, there are only ways that can decrease the chances of developing oral cancer. One way to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer is to brush at least two times a day and floss at least one time a day. Both heavy and regular alcohol...

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...rapy and surgery, its used only if the cancer comes back. Surgery is the treatment of injuries of the body by incision with instruments. Depending on what stage the cancer is in, the patient may need multiple surgeries to completely treat the cancer. For the later stages in the cancer, surgery is the most common treatment. The option to have surgery depends on the size and the location of the cancer. With all this being said, if the cancer is found early enough, there is a better chance of it getting cured. Some patients decide to use either chemotherapy or radiotherapy along with surgery, just to be safe. “For many patients, surgery will be combined with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy” (Cancer Treatment Centers Of America parag.3). By combining these treatments, there is a better chance of the cancer being cured.