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Tag: Oral Cancer

How AAOMS Supports Oral Cancer Awareness

Christopher C. Babcock, MD works as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a business and healthcare executive. As an executive, Dr. Chris Babcock is the owner and managing partner of Babcock Realty. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Christopher C. Babcock, MD is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (AAOMS).

The AAOMS aims to provide patients with access to safe and effective care through oral and maxillofacial surgery. The organization also promotes and advances the skills and professionalism of AAOMS members. AAOMS uses various measures to achieve its goals, one of which is raising oral cancer awareness.

Out of all the people newly diagnosed with oral and pharyngeal cancer, only 60 percent will live past five years. Because oral and pharyngeal cancers are usually discovered late, the fatality rate associated with them remains high.

Comprised of dental and medical practitioners who treat these cancers, AAOMS encourages oral cancer awareness by supporting two oral cancer programs observed in April. These are the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW) and the Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Both programs are organized by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and Oral Cancer Foundation, respectively.

How to Perform a Self-Exam for Oral Cancer

Christopher C. Babcock, MD is an oral surgeon who practices at Louisville Oral Surgery and Dental Implants located in Louisville, Kentucky. Christopher C. Babcock, MD is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, an organization that advocates for industry professionals and raises awareness for causes that relate to the field such as combatting oral cancer.

Oral and pharyngeal cancer, cancer of the mouth and upper throat, kills around one person every hour of every day of the year. The deathrate of oral and pharyngeal cancer has a relatively high deathrate and only around 60% of people diagnosed will live longer than 5 years. Because of this, it is very important to know how to recognize early signs of this cancer to receive treatment as soon as possible, as this cancer’s deathrate is higher than others due to an overall pattern of late discovery.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommends performing a self-exam every month. Using a bright light and a mirror, look and feel the inside of your lips and the front of your gums, then tilt your head back and feel the roof of your mouth. Inspect the inside of your cheeks, the back of your gums, and your tongue. Feel around for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of your neck as well as the lower jaw.

Specifically look for white and/or red patches, sores that don’t heal and bleed easily, abnormal lumps, and a mass or lump in the neck. If you are experiencing chronic sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or find any symptoms above, contact your oral doctor immediately.