Canker sore vs. oral cancer

How can you tell the difference?
“Canker sore” is not a medical term. It’s a term that some people use to describe many different unrelated conditions. We can continue to call them that here, for the sake of this article, but it’s important to note that the scientific name for what we’re discussing is actually “aphthous ulcers.” 
Aphthous ulcers are painful little sores that develop inside the mouth. We don’t know exactly what causes them, but most resolve on their own pretty quickly.

Are there any other conditions that can cause ulcers inside the mouth?
Many things that aren’t cancer can cause ulcers inside the mouth. These include chickenpox, shingles, an inflammatory condition called lichen planus, and hand, foot and mouth disease, to name just a few.
How can someone tell if a mouth ulcer is an oral cancer instead of just a canker sore?
Here are the qualities to look for:

• Appearance: The edges of a canker sore are often red and angry looking because the surrounding tissue is inflamed. That’s not usually the case with cancers. Canker sores also tend to be flat. Oral cancers often have a tiny lump or bump under the lesions that you can feel.
• Behavior: Oral cancer in its earliest stages is not usually painful. But canker sores often are. They become less painful as they heal.
• Changes: See a doctor if you have a small spot that grows larger, a white spot that turns red, or a lesion that bleeds when it didn’t use to.
• Development: Does the lesion get worse or better over time? Most canker sores will heal on their own within two or three weeks. If yours doesn’t, it’s time to see a doctor.

Is there anything that cancer patients should know about canker sores?
Cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy often develop mouth ulcers. I do a fair number of consultations each month with patients who are worried that these might be cancer. 
The good news is that this type of mouth sore is just the body’s reaction to chemotherapy. So, it’s nothing to be worried about; it’s a well-known side effect of that particular treatment.

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In 2023, 13,960 women in the US will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,310 will die from it, according to American Cancer Society estimates.
Pap test screening can detect this cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. And testing for HPV has been approved as an additional screening test for cervical cancer. It can be used alone or with a Pap test.
"Most cervical cancer cases continue to be diagnosed early," Dr. Matulonis says. "These new findings suggest that cases involving a more aggressive cell type called adenocarcinoma are also increasing. Often found higher up in the cervical canal, this is harder to detect with a Pap smear."
Older women are especially vulnerable. Rates of late-stage cervical cancer are higher — and survival is worse — among women 65 and older than among younger women, according to a study in California. One possible reason? They may not have received the recommended number of screening tests with normal results before they stopped having Pap smears, says Dr. Sarah Feldman, a gynecologic oncologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

We are hiring!
Got little kids? Bring them! KCH is leading the way in Bonner County, by providing in-house childcare for employees. Imagine not having to worry about your kids while you are working. KCH Kids Club has providers that are certified in early childhood education. With a sprawling kids center. Join us and see for yourself that this is the place for you and your children!
Available Positions - Click the links to learn more about each position.

Sandpoint Clinic
Certified Medical Assistant- Family Medicine
Certified Nursing Assistant- Family Practice
Certified Medical Assistant- Pediatrics
Certified Nursing Assistant- Pediatrics
Certified Nursing Assistant- Medical Records
Certified Nursing Assistant - Referral Coordinator
Pharmacy Technician - Part Time
Dental Assistant
Front Office Receptionist
​Behavioral Health Administrative Assistant​​

Bonners Ferry
Certified Nursing Assistant​​
Certified Medical Assistant​​
RN Care Manager
Clinical Operations Supervisor 

Childcare Center
Childcare Center Teacher - Infant and Toddler
​​Childcare Center Teacher - Part Time

Administration
General Ledger (GL) Accountant ​

Provider
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Pediatrician, MD/DO
Pharmacist​​

Our easy accessibility to nature in North Idaho has a positive impact on us that we might not be aware of. Research has shown that adults who live in neighborhoods with more green space show better attention functioning than those who have less access to the natural environment. Studies have found that natural landscapes help improve working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control, while urban settings amid concrete and skyscrapers can have an opposing cognitive effect, leading to attention deficits. Source ​

​Preventive care is proactive health; annual check-ups, immunizations/healthy living and eating, tests and screenings. It means coming in for an annual tune up before something turns into a full blown emergency. We like to think about preventive care like you do car maintenance - you wouldn’t drive your car 60 years without getting it tuned up, so don’t do that to your body?
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​Here is a well child appointment schedule for newborns; 3-7 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months.
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Cervical Cancer Screenings Cervical cancer is highly curable when found and treated early.

• Fourth most common cancer in women.
• Most cases are found in women under 40.
• Women may need a different screening schedule because of their health history or family health history.
• By age 21 you should start getting cervical cancer screenings.
• Cervical cancer can be prevented when girls and boys around age 11 get the HPV vaccine.

Colorectal Cancer Screenings Both men and women should get colorectal screenings.

• Second leading cause of cancer death in Idaho.
• 95% survival rate and is preventable with early and routine screening.
• 90% of new cases occur in people 50 or older (however if you have a first degree relative who has had colon cancer you should talk to you doctor about starting screening earlier).
• If you have a first degree relative who has had colon cancer, you have a 2 to 3 time higher chance of developing the cancer.

Mammograms While we don't perform mammograms on site, we do perform hand breast exam and we teach you how to perform a self exam. Our referral team will set up an appointment for you as well!

• 7 out of 10 women in their 40s who died from breast cancer did not have a mammogram.
• 75% of women do not experience symptoms.
• After 40 your risk of breast cancer increases
• Yearly mammograms decrease the death rate by 30%

​More ways to practice preventive care

We are excited to announce our new Sandpoint location opened on January 4, 2022! Under one roof you will find pediatrics, dental, family medicine and behavioral health. As well as our patient assistance and care management teams. 
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If you have been seeing a provider at Sandpoint Pediatrics or the Ponderay clinic you will now be going to the new clinic.

​Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House and to everyone who helped support the build of the new location. ​