• 3/16/2005
  • Houston, TX
  • NBC Local 2 (click2houston.com)

Every year, nearly 300,000 people are diagnosed with a form of oral or throat cancer. About 8,000 die. In order to educate the public about the disease, Local 2 launched Buddy Check: On Guard for Oral Cancer on Monday, in partnership with M.D. Anderson Hospital.

Oral cancer does not just affect those over 50 who smoke, Local 2 reported Tuesday.

At the age of 44, George Timmons became part of a disturbing trend.

“Certainly, we know tobacco and alcohol and age are sort of co-factors in the cancer, but we are seeing more cancer in the oral cavity and throats of younger individuals, if they’re in their 30s and 40s and 50s,” said Rhonda Jacob, an M.D. Anderson dental oncologist.

In Timmons’ case, doctors believe years of using smokeless tobacco led to the tumor in his tongue.

After chemotherapy, surgery took lymph nodes from his neck, as well as half of his tongue.

“I wish I would have been more receptive to the information and I was, like, hard-headed, like, ‘That is not going to happen to me.’ But you know what? It can. It will,” Timmons said.

“There is literature that says, and nationally based databases that have found, that head and neck cancer in young people seems to be increasing,” said Dr. Erich Sturgis, M.D. Anderson’s head and neck surgeon.

The young age is not the only trend catching young people off guard. More oral cancer patients have little to no history of using alcohol or smoking, which are the two leading causes of oral cancer.

Eva Torres, 35, also did not fit the profile.

“I don’t smoke. That’s one of the first questions they asked me. I am asthmatic. If I smoke, I get asthma and go into the hospital,” Torres said. Yet, she had part of her tongue and throat removed because of oral cancer. She said she let the symptoms go untreated for six years because she did not realize what it was.

“I think there (are) multiple factors at play that may be causing cancers in younger patients, in particular, nonsmokers. It could be a virus that has been described and identified in tumors not only of the oral cavity, but in the throat area. There may be genetic factors,” said Dr. Randal Weber, an M.D. Anderson head and neck surgeon.

Oral Cancer Often Misdiagnosed

Oral cancer is often misdiagnosed or ignored, according to doctors. In the United States, deaths from oral cancer can be counted in hours — one death for every hour of the day. It killed former Beatle George Harrison and Bruce Paltrow and it destroyed actor Jack Klugman’s voice.

“A lot of these lesions are completely painless and the patient is not even aware they are there,” Dr. Alan Stanton said. Doctors say the lack of pain causes the cancer to be misdiagnosed or ignored by both the patients and the doctors.

“Symptoms of oral cancer can be subtle and not so significant,” Weber said.

A knot in the throat can be chalked up to swollen glands from a mild flu bug. A white or cream-colored spot, which signals danger on the tongue, can be mistaken for ulcers.

“Primarily what you would be looking for is different color tissue,” Jacob said.

“Anything that has been there more than a week to 10 days we need to be concerned about,” Stanton said.

Tissue in the mouth repairs and replaces itself every 14 days. So, if a sore or spot lasts longer, doctors say check it out. Since some spots can turn out to be cancerous, doctors say a patient can be his or her own buddy by paying attention.

“Cancers in the mouth are usually on the skin 90 percent of the time, so they should be very visible. Perusing your own mouth, the side of your tongue, the top of your mouth should all look very pink and uniform,” Jacob said.

When it comes to swollen glands in the neck, pay attention. If they last longer than a few weeks, see a doctor. Oral cancer is very treatable but the prognosis for survival is cut in half if it spreads, according to doctors.

“Most oral cancers can be prevented from progressing if they can be spotted early. It is when they are allowed to progress that serious damage can be done,” Stanton said. Oral cancer is often thought to be a smoker’s disease that attacks those over 60 years old. It’s a myth that could cost you your life. Find out how oral cancer is affecting a younger crowd, Tuesday on Local 2 at 5.

Free Screenings To Be Held, Download Brochure

Three free screening events will be held.
Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park. Screening exams will be held at the Local 2 exhibit booth.
April 19, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Annual Spring Community Health and Fitness Fair
Missouri City Community Center, 1522 Texas Parkway
May 22, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Mano a Mano Health Fair, Houston Community College – Southeast
6815 Rustic Ave.

For more information on oral cancers, visit www.mdanderson.org/oralcancer or call (713) 792-6161 for a brochure.