Speed is of the essence

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  Posted by: Dental Design      30th November 2024

In the fight against oral cancer, clinicians are front-line soldiers, able to monitor the disease and educate patients on how to minimise the risk before it becomes fatal. Whilst the incidence of oral cancer has lowered due to the decline of smoking, the number of cases is higher because of the ageing population – more than 700,000 new cases are reported each year globally.[i] The cancer damages how the oral cavity functions, with mastication and speech effected, and increases the patient’s mortality rate, making the need for effective prevention and diagnosis paramount.

Speed is crucial for beating oral cancer. It is noted that a patient with advanced oral cancer has less than a 25% of being cured – it must be detected sooner.[ii] As the prevalence of oral cancer increases and with misdiagnosis across all health conditions acting as the second biggest reason for why dental practitioners are sued, it is vital that dental hygienists are well-equipped to confidently and reliably identify the risks for oral cancer.[iii]

Getting in early

Over 90% of oral cancers originate from the squamous lining of the oral cavity, where the cells turn malignant over a multi-stage process; leucoplakia and erythroplakia are common, precancerous lesions that can be observed as early symptoms of cancer.[iv] However, once oral cancer is detected by a visual inspection, either by the patient or the dental hygienist, it may be too late to manage it.

Diagnostic delay can be attributed to inadequate oral examinations or equipment, or having a low index of suspicion towards patients because of an unfamiliarity with the risk factors.[v] Furthermore, the later the diagnosis, the harder it is to determine the aetiology and the more aggressive the treatment must be, meaning increased side-effects and a reduced chance of success.[vi] Being fully aware of the risk factors can therefore help with an early diagnosis and a more effective treatment.

Controlling risk factors

The biggest risk factors for oral cancer can be split into modifiable (smoking, human papillomavirus [HPV] infection, exposure to ultraviolet rays, excessive alcohol consumption) and non-modifiable factors (age, gender, genetic history).[vii] Noting any modifiable factors for patients is integral to fighting oral cancer, as these can be controlled to decrease the risk of developing malignant cells.

Some risk factors, such as age and smoking, are visually detectable when treating patients and make it easier to help determine those at a greater risk. For less visible factors, such as alcohol consumption or HPV infection, communication is essential.

Overcoming communication barriers

Whilst patients are encouraged to detail their weekly alcohol consumption, this cannot always be taken as fact – of the 27% of Britons who have lied about how much they drink, two thirds say that they did it to their GP or a health professional.[viii] Perhaps due to patient embarrassment, the number given for alcoholic drinks consumed per week should be viewed as a minimum, not an average. It may be a sensitive topic to discuss further, so dental hygienists must be trustworthy and open. Nurturing a supportive environment with brochures and posters about alcohol’s impact on oral health may encourage patients to be more honest about their lifestyle habits.

The same is true for conversations around HPV, the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer.[ix] Because of its transmission through sexual contact, of which it is the most common virus, discussions around HPV can be awkward for patients who may wish to keep their sexual history or number of sexual partners private. Brochures in the practice can help educate patients on how HPV vaccines are available for those up to the age of 25, but what is crucial is that patients with HPV are taught its impacts and encouraged to take precautions to prevent transmission.

Terrific technology

As technology continues to develop, it is important that dental hygienists are not left behind when it comes to using the most effective solutions. Maintaining a continued competency with the latest innovations can improve the chance of diagnosing oral cancer early for those at-risk.[x]

The BeVigilant™ OraFusion™ System from Vigilant Biosciences® measures the concentration of three specific proteomic biomarkers that are associated with oral cancer in 15 minutes or less.[xi] Designed for comfort and speed, the system’s non-invasive saliva test reports on whether the patient is at a low, moderate or elevated risk of oral cancer, providing enough information to map out a referral and treatment plan. With reliable technology at your side, you will feel empowered to protect at-risk patients.

The best chance for beating oral cancer is with an early diagnosis. By promoting and communicating knowledge of the associated risk-factors to patients and employing innovative technology, you can make a huge difference in the battle against cancer.

 

For more information, visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com or email info@vigilantbiosciences.com

 

Author: Phil Silver

 

[i] Crow, S. (2024). With oral cancer, antiquated dental hygiene practices are overdue for advancement. [online] DrBicuspid.com. Available at: https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/oral-systemic-link/oral-cancer/article/15678984/with-oral-cancer-antiquated-dental-hygiene-practices-are-overdue-for-advancement [Accessed 27 Aug. 2024].

[ii] www.cqc.org.uk. (n.d.). Dental mythbuster 33: Detecting oral cancer and improving outcomes in primary care | Care Quality Commission. [online] Available at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/dentists/dental-mythbuster-33-detecting-oral-cancer-improving-outcomes-primary.

[iii] Crow, S. (2024). With oral cancer, antiquated dental hygiene practices are overdue for advancement. [online] DrBicuspid.com. Available at: https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/oral-systemic-link/oral-cancer/article/15678984/with-oral-cancer-antiquated-dental-hygiene-practices-are-overdue-for-advancement [Accessed 27 Aug. 2024].

[iv] Lee, B. and Mun, S. (2024). Dental hygienists’ knowledge, performance confidence and awareness of importance of assessing oral cancer risk factors. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12815.

[v] Coppola, N., Rivieccio, I., Blasi, A., Ferrigno, R., Baldares, S., Mignogna, M.D. and Leuci, S. (2022). Current knowledge, attitude and practice among dental hygienists in oral cancer awareness: Systematic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12575.

[vi] Coppola, N., Rivieccio, I., Blasi, A., Ferrigno, R., Baldares, S., Mignogna, M.D. and Leuci, S. (2022). Current knowledge, attitude and practice among dental hygienists in oral cancer awareness: Systematic review. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12575.

[vii] Lee, B. and Mun, S. (2024). Dental hygienists’ knowledge, performance confidence and awareness of importance of assessing oral cancer risk factors. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12815.

[viii] yougov.co.uk. (n.d.). Brits most likely to lie about alcohol to GPs | YouGov. [online] Available at: https://yougov.co.uk/health/articles/22370-brits-most-likely-lie-about-alcohol-gps.

[ix] admin (2019). HPV / Oral Cancer Facts. [online] The Oral Cancer Foundation. Available at: https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/hpv/hpv-oral-cancer-facts/.

[x] Crow, S. (2024). With oral cancer, antiquated dental hygiene practices are overdue for advancement. [online] DrBicuspid.com. Available at: https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/oral-systemic-link/oral-cancer/article/15678984/with-oral-cancer-antiquated-dental-hygiene-practices-are-overdue-for-advancement.

[xi] Vigilant Biosciences®. (n.d.). BeVigilantTM OraFusionTM System**. [online] Available at: https://vigilantbiosciences.com/bevigilant-orafusion-system/ [Accessed 23 May 2024].

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