If oral cancer is detected early, the survival rate is almost 100%. However, this illness has been taking the lives of two Costa Ricans each week, for the past 10 years.
The most recent data on oral cancer show there were 104 new male cases and 73 female cases in 2014, but the figure decreased by 2015.
The greatest impact of this disease hits adults between 20 and 64 years old, with 55% of cases registered in that age range. People over 65 years old accounted for 40% of the cases and there are 5% of cases that occurred in children and teenagers. When it comes to mortality, this type of cancer usually affects men more than women.
The most common symptom is a never-healing mouth or lip sore. However, there are other frequent signs such as red or white spots on the gums, tongue, tonsils or lining of the mouth, a lump in the lip, mouth, neck, or throat, or a thickening cheek.
There are no studies linking specific causes of oral cancer, but experts tend to relate it with people who smoke and have a higher alcohol consumption, among others.
Other factors that may increase the risk of oral cancer include:
-Chronic friction, often caused by rough teeth, dentures or fillings.
-Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the same virus that causes genital warts.
-Taking medicines that weaken the immune system (immune-suppressants).
-Poor oral and dental hygiene.
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) will invest 800 million colones in dental equipment such as 46 fixed dental units, 15 transportable dental units (for tests in rural areas) and 31-digital dental equipment and special X – rays.
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery service of the San Juan de Dios Hospital, in coordination with the area of regulation and Systematization in Dentistry and the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica, will carry out a thematic internship, with theoretical and practical schemes in face-to-face modalities.
For the internship, 84 dentists from health centers will receive state-of-the-art equipment. These professionals are committed to detect lesions or tumors in early stages.