When I mention to people I had oral cancer, very often I am greeted with a dumbfounded expression and the comment, ‘Huh? That’s a thing?’ Most people genuinely want to know more and ask, ‘What were the symptoms?’
It started with a sore on the left side of my tongue. An unusual place for what seemed like an ordinary canker sore. After 4 weeks, an oral surgeon concluded it was nothing serious, after all, I never smoked and rarely drink common causes for irritation in the mouth. Like any canker sore, it hurt. ‘If it bothers you so much,’ the doctor stated, ‘we can remove it.’
“Great, just remove it,” I replied, ecstatic this painful irritation would be eliminated.
Two days later, I no longer noticed it. After two weeks, I received a call from the oral surgeon’s receptionist telling me the biopsy results were negative. Confused, I asked, “Are you calling the right patient?”
“The oral surgeon took tissue from your tongue, correct?” she questioned.
“Yes, but I didn’t know it was being biopsied.” I thought to myself, ‘What could they be looking for in a biopsy of the tongue?’ My questions were all but forgotten when she assured me I had nothing to worry about. I regret not asking for examples of what would be problematic. Ultimately, asking the question alone may have saved me from the extensive surgery and treatment that would change my life forever.
Two years later, I was bounced back and forth between dentists and oral surgeons for a lesion that reappeared over the biopsy site. Guided by a pathology report that was over two years old and misinterpreted as hyperkeratosis when in fact it was moderate dysplasia, I was treated for trauma. Nine months later, another biopsy revealed stage IV oral cancer.
Now, 23 years later, I continue to recognize how little the general public knows about this disease. Early detection makes this disease easily survivable however most cases are diagnosed late. If dental professionals aren’t educating patients about this disease, who is?
For Oral Cancer Awareness Month, raise the bar on patient education. Partner with patients through education to promote early detection.
What You Can Do To Raise Awareness About Oral Cancer
- If it’s uncomfortable to use the words ‘oral cancer,’ try this script: “We provide a thorough oral health exam. It includes an oral cancer screening.”
- Show a video on a thorough oral cancer screening and agree on a standard of care.
- Recommend a speaker on oral cancer for your next Dental Study Group Meeting.
- Buy and display an oral cancer educational poster today.
- Add an educational postcard to your dental goody bag.
Better care is better business. How do you educate patients about oral cancer?
Master Storyteller and Visionary Survivor Eva Grayzel told her story at the 2003 National ADA conference on the main stage to 9,000 dentists.
That’s when she knew her story needed to be heard.
Since then, she has become the voice for oral cancer, speaking internationally. Eva founded Six-Step Screening, an oral cancer awareness campaign and awarded honorary membership to the American Academy of Oral Medicine.
She is the author of two children’s books to empower children with coping skills and communication strategies when someone they know has cancer.