WHY THIS MATTERS
Two communities. Two patterns.
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
- Incidence is often similar to other Canadians.
- Survival is worse when cancer is found.
- Ontario: about 4 in 10 First Nations people alive five years after mouth or throat cancer.
- Alberta: about 34% five-year survival vs 58% for others.
Indo-Canadian and South Asian families
- B.C. Cancer Registry: South Asian men about 33% higher oral-cancer rate; South Asian women about 60% higher.
- Often diagnosed younger — mean age under 60.
- Cheek, gum, and tongue are common sites — where paan is often held.
- A Canadian surgical series: about 2× the recurrence risk and worse disease-specific survival.
|
In B.C., about 4 in 10 oral cancers are already late when found.
Early finding changes survival for every community.
|
WHAT RAISES RISK
Different habits. Same cancer.
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
|
Sacred tobacco used for prayer and offering is to be respected. Commercial cigarettes, chew, snuff, and vapes are different — they raise cancer risk.
Smoking: First Nations off-reserve ~30%, Métis ~24%, Inuit ~57%, vs ~12% of Canadian adults.
|
Indo-Canadian families
|
Paan, areca nut (supari), betel quid, and gutka raise oral-cancer risk even without smoked tobacco. Risk is highest when the mix includes tobacco and slaked lime.
These products are still used in some South Asian homes in Canada. The cheek and gum are common first sites.
|
Shared risks
- Heavy alcohol — risk multiplies with tobacco or paan.
- HPV now drives many throat cancers. Ask about the vaccine.
- About 1 in 4 oral cancers occur in people who do not smoke or drink heavily.
ACT EARLY
Signs that should not wait two weeks
- A sore that does not heal
- White, red, or dark patches
- A lump on the lip, tongue, or neck
- Numbness or unexplained pain
- Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue
- Something stuck in the throat, or hoarseness
- Ear pain with no ear infection
- Dentures that suddenly stop fitting
Lower the risk
- Step back from commercial cigarettes, chew, snuff, paan, areca nut, and gutka.
- Cut back on heavy alcohol — together with tobacco or paan, risk rises more.
- Ask about the HPV vaccine.
- Brush, floss, and keep dentures fitting well.
- Use UV lip balm in the sun.
BOOK YOUR SPOT - Pre-registration is required
|
Call to make your appointment
Pacific Oral Health Centre Clinic
604-536-2700
Rotary Club of Surrey-Newton President
Azad Sidhu 778.883.1582
|
Sunday, September 27, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
300 – 15850 24 Avenue, Surrey
Pacific Oral Health Centre Building
|
This appointment is an oral cancer screening only — not a cleaning.
|