Read the text carefully. Pay attention to words in the bold print
Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not want to go away. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include swellings, lumps or bumps, rough spots, crusts on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. Patients may experience unexplained bleeding in the mouth andnumbness and tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck. They also have asignificant difficulty in chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue. Hoarseness, chronic sore throat, ear pain or change in voice are also common. Many of these patients lose weight dramatically.

Certain risk factors predispose patients for oral cancer. Smokers and excessivealcohol users are more vulnerable to this condition. Excessive sun exposure and family history of cancer are also common factors.

To diagnose this condition dentists conduct an oral cancer screening exam. He/she will feel for any lumps or irregular tissue changes in patient’s neck, head, face, and oral cavity. When examining mouth, dentist will look for any sores ordiscolored tissue as well as check for any signs and symptoms mentioned above. Dentist may perform an oral brush biopsy if tissue looks suspicious. This test is completely painless. Alternatively, if the tissue looks more suspicious, dentist may recommend a scalpel biopsy. This procedure usually requires local anesthesia and may be performed by a dentist or a specialist. These tests are necessary to detectoral cancer early, before it has had a chance to progress and spread.

Oral cancer is treated the same way many other cancers are treated; that is with surgery to remove the cancerous growth followed by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

To prevent oral cancer patients mustn’t smoke or use any tobacco products and drink alcohol in moderation. They should eat a well balanced diet. Limiting exposure to the sun is also advisable. When in the sun, patients should use UV-A/B-blockingsun protective lotions on skin as well as lips. Conducting a self exam at least once a month is necessary, too. During self-exam patients check for any irregularities and lumps on their lips, gums, throat and tongue surfaces with help of a bright light. If any changes are noticed patient must report it to his/her dentist. Also, seeing one’s your dentist on a regular schedule is necessary. Even though frequent self exams are conducted, sometimes dangerous spots or sores in the mouth can be very tinyand are visible only for a dentist. Early detection can improve the chance of successful treatment.

GLOSSARY
at least – przynajmniej 
bright – jasny 
brush biopsy – biopsja szczoteczkowa 
bump – guz 
conduct – przeprowadzać 
crust – strup 
detect – wykryć 
discoloured – przebarwiony, ze zmienionym kolorem 
early detection – wczesne wykrywanie 
even though – nawet, chociaż 
excessive – nadmierny 
exposure – wystawienie na (czynniki) 
followed by – następować po 
growth – narośl 
hoarseness – chrypka 
in moderation – z umiarem 
life-threatening – zagrażający życiu 
lump – guzek 
notice – zauważyć 
numbness – zdrętwienie, ścierpnięcie 
palate – podniebienie 
pharynx – gardło
predispose – predysponować, mieć predyspozycję
prevent – zapobiegać
progress – rozwijać się
remaining – pozostały
report – zgłosić, powiadomić
risk factors – czynniki ryzyka
scalpel biopsy – biopsja wycinkowa
screening – badanie przesiewowe
self exam – samobadanie
significant – znaczący
sore – ranka, owrzodzenie
spot – plama, plamka
spread – rozprzestrzenić się
sun protective lotions – mleczka zapobiegające oparzeniom słonecznym
suspicious – podejrzany
tenderness – wrażliwość
tiny – bardzo mały
tissue – tkanka
visible – widoczny
vulnerable – wrażliwy, podatny na

Complete the sentences with words from the glossary section.

1. ‘I see a small sore on your soft palate. I think we must C_ N _ _ _ _ oral biopsy to exclude possibility of oral cancer.’
2. If you _ _ _ _ C _ any unusual bumps or lumps in your mouth or you feel unexplained pain , R _ _ _ R _ it immediately to your dentist.
3. Early _ _ T _ C _ _ _ N of oral cancer enhances the chances that the treatment will be successful. 
4. Some of the lumps or sores are so T _ _ _ that they are hardly _ _ S _ _ _ E.
5. Untreated oral cancer may _ _ R _ A _ to other body parts and organs. 
6. Smokers and excessive alcohol users are more V _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ E to oral cancer.
7. Another word for ‘throat’ is _ H _ _ _ _ _.
8. _ _ L _ exam is a key measure in cancer prevention. 
9. Even small lumps or crusts may be life _ H _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ G .
10. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may bring S _ _ _ I _ _ C _ _ _ improvement in the state of cancer patient.

Complete the instructions of self exam with words from the table.

‘ Use a bright light and a mirror, look and 1)___________ your lips and front of your gums. 2)__________ your head back and look at and feel the roof of your mouth. 3) ____________ your checks to view the inside of your mouth, the lining of your cheeks, and the back gums. Pull out your tongue and look at all surfaces; examine 4)__________of your mouth. Look at 5)_____________ of your throat. Feel for 6)_____________ or enlarged lymph nodes in both sides of your neck and under your lower jaw. 7)_______________ your dentist's office immediately if you notice any changes in the appearance of your mouth or any of the signs and 8)_____________ mentioned above.’

You are talking to a patient with oral cancer. Match his questions with your answers. 

Lesson 23 answers