Oral Cancer Research

Question: Someone give me pros and cons -- dentistry with biomedical research? I have my masters degree and have worked in research for 5 years. I am currently in dental school, but would like to continue biomedical research as well after I graduate (and while in school). Can anyone think of any pros and cons to combining dentistry with research (Oral cancer)?

Answer: You are so lucky. DO IT! I want to be a researcher more than ANYTHING. How do I go about doing it?

Question: white patches in mouth possible oral cancer? okay well lately ive noticed a few white patches on the roof of my mouth that i can also feel with my tongue. Ive seen a doctor about it and she said that it looked normal but im still kind of scared... I researched the symptoms of oral cancer and I do have some of them.. The first patch i noticed was a few months ago and I have since been checking regularly to see if anything has changed. Lastnight I noticed another white patch with some red dots in the midddle off to the left side of the ridge in the centre of my mouth that was not there before so I know I wasnt born like that. They do not bleed easily and do not hurt at all. What could these patches of raised skin be? I am a 19 year old non smoker. What are the chances of this being cancer? Could it just be a cut/ bruise type thing ? ????

Answer: most white lesions in the mouth of young nonsmokers are due to trauma(a sharp tooth edge or something like that). oral cavity cancer would be rare at your age without tobacco use but not unheard of. if you wont be able to relax unless you know for sure see an Ear nose and Throat surgeon or an oral surgeon. they will either reassure you or discuss options for diagnosis, like a biopsy.

Question: anyonw know about cancer or has a an experiance with oral cancer? i would like to ask u some questions,so please answer,its for a research paper

Answer: This is a question and answer forum so you need to post your questions in order to get answers. To answer this one – yes. I analyze, stage and report cancer for a living.

Question: Oral HPV - throat, head, neck cancer!? So I am losing my mind. I am a young white male in his 20s. I found out a few years ago that my girlfriend who was a virgin before we were together, had gotten high risk hpv from me. After researching it I wasn't too worried until just recently when a doctor told me it causes throat cancer in men and women! Upon further research I found out that it causes like 10 cancers!!! According to the oral cancer foundation's website they make it sound like everyone with high risk HPV 16 or 18 will definitely get oral cancer! and that 50% of those diagnosed will be dead within 5 years! I spoke with the head of the foundation on the phone personally (he is a HPV oral cancer survivor) and he made my future look extremely bleak. Said most people dont have the facts about hpv and are giving terribly wrong information. Says its 50/50 chance of getting oral cancer and if i get it i will have 50/50 odds of living. if i live, expect to have all kinds of horrible life altering surgery! AHHHHH help!

Answer: First off, breathe. My Father had tracheal cancer from this. At the time they gave him three months to live because it was in such an advanced state...that was ten years ago. Do some more research, talk to more experts (like YOUR Doctor).

Question: Does this Information that Oral Sex Causes Cancer Scare You? Oral sex linked to cancer: You must read this by Jessica Ashley, Shine staff, on Thu Oct 16, 2008 2:56pm PDT Read More from This Author » 215 Comments Post a Comment Report Abuse What you may have considered safer sex could be putting you at risk for cancer. Startling new information about the prevalence of throat tonsil cancers in people in their 30s and 40s is connecting the dots between oral sex, human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancer. This article and accompanying video explains why scientists are saying there is "absolutely" a connection between oral sex and cancer in people who are young, otherwise healthy, fit, nonsmokers who do not drink excessively. Recent findings derived from a longitudinal study are cited: Johns Hopkins researchers reported in a study published in February in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that between 1973 and 2004 the incidence of HPV-related oral cancers among people in their 40s nearly doubled. Today more than 34,000 people have oral cancer and 39 percent of those cases are related to HPV, according to data from the American Cancer Society. We know that HPV can be treated without leading to tumors. However, scientists also now know that the virus is passed by direct contact and doesn't stray from the location where it is transmitted. While HPV does not get into the bloodstream, higher-risk strains of the virus contain proteins that make it impossible for healthy cells to repair themselves. Scientists are now investigating the possibility that HPV can be passed through saliva in simple acts of sharing a spoon or drink and how sexual orientation may or may not be a factor in this formula. In the meantime, we are being warned by the medical community about the upped risks of oral sex. Although men are 35% more likely to contract HPV-derived oral cancers, this is a significant health concern for women and girls. It's no shock that researchers say the number one risk factor is a high number of sexual partners. It only takes an intimate moment with one infected partner to be exposed to HPV. And clearly, the more partners you have, the more opportunities there are for exposure. It's this quote that brought this story home for me, said bluntly by a woman who is in remission from HPV-related oral cancer that was diagnosed when she was 38 years old: "People think the face of oral cancer is a 70-year-old man who's been chewing tobacco and drinking whiskey all his life," she said. "But the face of oral cancer now is -- it's me, a young woman, healthy, nonsmoking, fit." This is most of us, right? The report comes at a critical time: Studies show more teens believe oral sex is safer than vaginal sex and last year's news was flooded with stories of teenagers actively engaging in oral sex with multiple partners and in group settings. The HPV vaccine Gardasil, intended to protect young women from HPV-related cervical cancer, has been discussed from message boards to national media outlets as parents and doctors have debated whether it is worth the pain and cost. This means we not only need to be vigilant in our own sexual behaviors to protect ourselves from HPV and the possibility of throat and tonsil cancers, we also need to better educate young women about why oral sex they are engaging in early and often could have dire consequences later in life. I think we also need to be activists in supporting the development of an HPV vaccine for boys and more research about how this virus is raiding our bodies. As for ourselves, we could all probably get caught up in worrying about how our college years might lead to oral cancer today. Instead of that, I propose we start talking more honestly about how we can have fun, delight in the deliciousness of bodies, sex and intimacy and still keep ourselves healthy and safe. Or at least healthier and safer.

Answer: Considering just about everything causes cancer these days, like processed cheese, cellphones and mayonaise... I say no. I live my life & I don't worry about it.

Question: Is a swollen lymph node most likely cancer? I got a little bump under my jaw that I can move around and I've been researching this and so far the only two possibilitys are a swollen lymph node or oral cancer.

Answer: No. go see your general physician. there are many causes for swollen lymph nodes. many times when a head cold is commming on this occurs.

Question: what can i do after doing DNA sequencing in a research? i am now working as a research assistant in molecular genetic field. but i am from chemistry field. Now i have no idea what to do after doing DNA sequencing?This research is about oral cancer. Can you help me or give me some advise?

Answer: not sure exactly what you're working on but i would compare the dna cancerous vs noncancerous

Question: Do you believe that there is a link between oral sex and throat cancer? This is of course according to Research coming from John Hopkins University...not just rumors...where they say a link has been established between oral sex and the human papillomavirus (HPV) the same virus that causes cervical cancer and throat cancer. That adds to the roster of risks already tied to oral sex: herpes, syphillis, gonorrhea, and HIV. I am just doing a public service announcement...I'm married and I've already had Cancer three times....it will NOT change my martial habits.

Answer: .When you consider where it's been and what's it's done during it's sexually active lifetime, it would not surprise me.It may be a fact that some people will find hard to swallow.

Question: Any Advice or First-Hand Experience with Feline Oral Cancer? Hello, My 15 year old, Miss Peabody has been diagnosed with oral cancer. I got the results back from her biopsy (7/16/09) as Adenocarcinoma and have been doing a lot of internet (and soul) searching to try to figure out where we go from here and what I can do that's best for her well-being and quality of life. Over the past three months, we've been on a roller coaster ride of sinus infection, tooth extraction, maybe cancer, not cancer, another tooth extraction, swollen gums from sutures, then cancer diagnosis by sight there's no more to do. I took her to a different vet for a second opinion and like that this vet is researching the pathology results, considering (laser) surgical options and is overall more interested in her case, rather than just immediately giving up and giving over to a "Hospice only until Euthanasia" protocol. So far, Miss Peabody is eating well... she woke me up (abruptly and noisily!) at 5am yesterday because her canned food dish was empty and she wanted it filled IMMEDIATELY! She seems fairly content, affectionate and is purring. I'm just not ready now to give up, but I want to make sure I'm not just being selfish concerning her comfort and quality of life. Any Advice?? Thanks!!

Answer: My cat recently died from a tumor in his mouth. He was a chubby little buggar and one of the friendliest cats I've ever seen. Once we noticed there was something wrong with him (constant drooling, pus coming out of his mouth) I took him into the vet where he spotted the tumor right away. He asked me "Should I try to remove it, or just put him down?" I made the wrong decision. After the vet removed the tumor, he was bleeding constantly from his mouth. Normally an outdoor cat, we took him indoors to try to stop infection/harassment from other cats. He soon stopped eating (had a lot of problems with his tongue after the surgery) and after a few painful weeks, died. It sounds like your cat is doing well, but as soon as her appetite stops, do the right thing and put her down. My cat was very affectionate to me even on the night before he died, although he purred a lot, it showed he was in a lot of pain. I hope her last days are happy ones.

Question: D: Is it Oral Cancer? Firstly, Im a female aged 16. I have a little bump almost like an uclear on my left Salivary gland (Under tongue). You can't see it, I can just feel it and it hurt a bit. I just noticed it today, and Im really worried as I've been doing some research about it. Thanks in advance for any help given.

Answer: Go to the doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Don't think the worst just yet.

Question: Oral contraceptive pills cause breast cancer? An oncologist in a 3rd world country told me he has found breast cancer has a +ive correlation with the use of birth control pills. Any research findings on that?

Answer: In some people the answer is yes. I was diagnosed with BC when I was 24 and had taken birth control pills since my teens. No one in my family has had breast cancer, although other types of cancers have been present. The kind of cancer I had has estrogen and progesterone receptors, which means these hormones make it grow, so I cannot take hormonal contraceptives ever again if I want to avoid recurrence. I have to take medication that shuts off my ovaries and another that blocks the small amount of estrogen produced by my endocrine (?) gland, at least until my 5 yr wait-and-see period is up. Also my cancer was HER2nu receptive, which is a genetic marker (if I am understanding all this correctly) that means I am genetically predisposed to this type of hormone receptive cancer. However, that kind of testing is done on the tumor, so as far as I understand there is no screening to tell you if you have this HER2nu thing beforehand. Plainly put, the only way to know is if you get a tumor for them to test. Sorry if this explanation isn't as technical as it should be, I've done my best to understand this but when you talk about genetics it gets very complex and confusing.

Question: Oral Birth Control Pills and Cancer. Giving birth control to 12 year olds? Is anyone but me concerned about this birth control epidemic? This is a quote from Dr. T.S. Wiley: (from a book on hormones) "You see the birth control pill was the first powerful drug prescribed to normal healthy women for long-term use. The pill was low level estrogen, plus progestins, dosed in an abnormal rhythm, and it put the body in to a sort of controlled menopause. Since menopause is the beginning of the end health wise, this was a tragedy to perpetuate on 18 year old women. By 1962, research stated that there were 132 reports of blood clots and 11 deaths. Pill users were beginning to show abnormal glucose tolerance and some diabetes from altered metabolism. Today we know, from the women’s health initiative 2002 involving 103,027 women in Norway and Sweden, that even users of the mini pill have a 20% increase in breast cancer, versus childless women who haven't used oral contraceptives." People today are using Birth control as a band-aid for preteen sex, but at what cost? In a school in Main they are handing out birth control to 12 year olds, with the risks, do you think this is an appropriate way to deal with 11 and 12 year olds having sex? I'm sorry about the type - o, I would like to point out that what the Doctor was refering to is cancer caused by screwed up hormones, she wasn't outright saying that the hormones in the pill cause cancer but that what giving yourself the pill and feeding yourself your hormones does to you. To Stephiek: I love your responce, it's perfect, I can't understand either how any responsible adult especialy a parent would be ok with giving birth control to a 12 year old, you hit the nail on the head. Thank you. Again, people, instead of using tax dollars to fund promiscuity, or to "make them safe" why don't we make them safER by fixing the original problem and getting them to STOP having sex?

Answer: first off, i think that birth control causing cancer is BS. yes it is shown to cause a risk of blood clots, or heart problems, but those risks are told to you when you get the pill. and if you'd rather take a pill than get pregnant/have really f'ed up periods, then thats your choice. today everything causes cancer. breathing the air outside, standing in the sun, being on the cell phone, hell, even if you dont have a history of it in your family it seems like everyone will get some form of it in their lifetime, and the pill isnt something that people need to go screaming about. i have 2 older women in my office that are constintly telling me how i'm going to get cancer because i'm on the pill. well, my mom has been on it for 15 years straight now cause of her endometriosis. never once had a problem. my best friends mom never took it once in her life and just got diagnosed with ovarian cancer. hmmm... and we're the ones with cancer in our family history. oh well. i personally dont understand why these schools are ALLOWED to give out the pill. its something that has to be perscribed, so how do they have the athority to give it out? they arent drs. i understand that they are trying to cut down on teen pregnancies, but that cant be legal in any way!!! i also dont think its a good idea that they are giving it to them without the parents permission, or knoledge. thats just wrong. i think it should be fine to give it to the kid, if the parent says its ok, and its been prescribed by a licensed dr. thats it! what NEEDS to be done is that these little kids need to sit down with their parents and have "the talk" because parents arent taking responsibility, they think its the schools job to teach them, and the schools arent. and the kids go around thinking that its cool to have sex at 11 and we're wondering why they are all getting pregnant and stds before they hit 13! its bad parenting, plain and simple.

Question: Researchers suspect oral sex to blame for rise in tonsil cancer? Researchers suspect oral sex to blame for rise in tonsil cancer. http://blogs.usatoday.com/betterlife/2009/04/researchers-suspect-oral-sex-to-blame-for-rise-in-tonsil-cancer.html The incidence of tonsil cancer has tripled in the city of Stockholm since the 1970s and doctors at the Karolinska Institute there think they know why. Oral sex. Or perhaps French kissing. And changes in sexual behavior that took place 20 or 30 years ago, says Tina Dalianis, a professor of tumor virology at Karolinska. Her research has directly linked the increase in tonsil cancers to the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 different types of HPV, some of which cause cancer. One, for example, is responsible for 99.7% of all cervical cancers. Researchers monitored everyone in the Stockholm area diagnosed with tonsil cancer between 2003 and 2007. Their study, recently published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that of 120 patients who got the cancer, at least 83 were HPV-positive. Tonsil cancer is dangerous because it has almost no symptoms, so many people don’t seek medical attention until it has spread to their lymph nodes and is much harder to treat. “If they have a lump in their throat, especially if it’s on one side and it doesn’t go away with antibiotics, they should see a doctor,� Dalianis says. One bright spot is that a vaccine against the cancer-causing HPV16 virus has been available since 2006 and is now being given to many girls between the ages of 10 and 12 to prevent cervical cancer. Dalianis hopes that it may help prevent tonsil cancers as well. Be safe out there.

Answer: so do they give the girls a cough drop first or what?

Question: HPV & Cancer of the throat, mouth, eyes, head, neck, and skin!!!?? So I am losing my mind. I am a young white male in his 20s. I found out a few years ago that my girlfriend who was a virgin before we were together, had gotten high risk hpv from me. After researching it I wasn't too worried until just recently when a doctor told me it causes throat cancer in men and women! Upon further research I found out that it causes like 10 cancers!!! According to the oral cancer foundation's website they make it sound like everyone with high risk HPV 16 or 18 will definitely get oral cancer! and that 50% of those diagnosed will be dead within 5 years! I spoke with the head of the foundation on the phone personally (he is a HPV oral cancer survivor) and he made my future look extremely bleak. Said most people dont have the facts about hpv and are giving terribly wrong information. Says its 50/50 chance of getting oral cancer and if i get it i will have 50/50 odds of living. if i live, expect to have all kinds of horrible life altering surgery! AHHHHH help!

Answer: this is actually the first time i heard of the whole 50 50 thing and all those cancers. i don't think your doctor has all his info either. HPV is very common and he's blowing it WaY out of proportion! you should talk to other doctor or someone who knows more about HPV. the more you know, the more you can be put at ease. i have heard of the oral cancer but the other types i haven't... so talk to someone else I think the boogeywoogey bitch is misinformed... so stick that up your cramhole chick. like i said some idiots don't know anything about any frickin thing.

Question: Could I Have Mouth Cancer? For about 5 years now ive had throat and mouth problems that the doctors could not explain, and eventually passed it off as being allergies. I was misdiagnosed with Mono but had allergic reactions towards the medicine and given a difft perscription where the symptoms went away for about a month but then returned. The symptoms are sore Bumps in the back of the throat, sore mouth with small bumps here and there. And recently i noticed a area on my tongue had like lost its taste buds and was numb and now its like turning white. Ive researched the symptoms and i can only find things leading to Oral Cancer. I read the other symptoms and i noticed that Loose teeth are one of them. Around the time i started having the problems, my teeth had started to feel loose. They still do, the dentist at the time said there wasnt anything wrong... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/vfantice/tongue.jpg picture 2 day ago. now its bigger. i have no insurance and im in Elmira NY. what to do? I dont have insurance so i dont know what to do. Im a female and ill be 20 in may. I have a history of bad health and have Nail Patella Syndrome. I have chronic migranes and some last over 3 days. I live in Elmira NY and i dont know anywhere that accepts pple without insurance. i am filing for medicaid but that could take a lil time as i need to gather correct documents. What should i do to get checked? do i go to the hospital and tell them im filing for insurance and hope they will help? Because i know in alot of cases they wont treat pple without the money or insurance unless in cases of emergency. =( I dont have anyone to rely on so i cant get help from anyone =( Photobucket are pervs and mistook the picture of my tongue as something else. the picture is: http://www.spiritrevised.com/images/tongue.JPG ive also noticed the roof of my mouth is white and has red bumps on it. that pic is from the other day, ill have to update it when i have the chance.

Answer: No, there is nothing like mouth cancer! lol... there's only lung cancer and you get it from smoking.

Question: Scared could be cancer please help? Hello I always feel like I have a lump in my throat is worse when I lay down and swallowing, I just had a dentist appt on Thursday and had a scalling done I noticed a reddish lump on my gum a few days before my appt. My dentist didn't say anything about the lump so I let it go, but now I'm researching online and am reading that feeling of lump in the throat and a blotch on the gum are symptoms of oral cancer, I also at times have a odd feeling in my tounge I don't want to call my dentist and sound crazy so I'm really not sure what to do - also I had my bottom teeth scaled in 2 sessions after the first session I started rinsing w peroxide n water and that's when I noticed the mark on my gum- also if a push on where the discolored spot is a little bit of puss dims out If it was a tumor wouldn't my dentist of noticed it when I went there on Thursday it was there then and has looked the same from the day I noticed it-it's not really a lump/bump it's more discolored Andita .... The lump feeling is down my throat like midneck if I cough some flem comes up and it feels a little better Could the discoloration be an abcess caused my smoking a cigarette to soon after the scaling- I mean like an idiot I lit one as soon as I got in the car( stupiddd move)

Answer: The issue with your gums is probably not related to the throat thing. Since you had to have intensive teeth cleaning you may have gotten a infection (abscess). You should definitely call your dentist if you are seeing puss you might need antibiotics. Now the throat lump, is it inside your mouth/throat? If could be your adenoids (tonsils). They may be inflamed from trying to fight an infection. Try to relax, the chances that you have oral cancer are very slim. You pay your dentist for his expert advice and there are no stupid questions. After all, who is going to care more about your health and well being than you? So I've see your note that the lump is about 1/2 way down your throat. This could be a lot of things. You have lymph nodes in this area and since they are part of your endocrine system, they also tend to swell when you have an infection (viral or bacterial). Could you be feeling your trachea? There area cartilaginous rings about 1/2 down your neck. You can grasp them with your fingers and move them left and right. Again, I'm sure your fine ... but knowing that you are a smoker, I want to encourage you to quit. Smoking definitely increases your risk for all cancers and in particular cancers of the throat and mouth. Please think about it and if you can't totally quit try to at least cut back. Think of all the money you'll save and remember how precious your health and life are. The best quitting advice I have is to take it one day at a time. Don't tell yourself you'll never smoke again, just say "Right now, for right now I'm choosing not to smoke." Good Luck!