Oral mucositis is a breast cancer treatment side effect.

As millions of Americans participate in educational initiatives as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they should keep in mind an important yet under-recognized consequence of breast cancer therapy: oral mucositis, one of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment.

Oral mucositis (OM) is a painful inflammation/ulceration of the mucous membranes in the mouth. It results from erosion of epithelial cells in the oral cavity (cells lining the surface of the throat and esophagus) during cancer treatment. In addition to severe pain, patients with OM often have difficulty eating and swallowing, as well as greater susceptibility to infection. Needless to say, the effects of OM can have a profoundly negative effect on cancer patients’ quality of life.

Never heard of oral mucositis? You might be surprised to learn that the condition is estimated to affect more than 400,000 cancer patients each year. OM affects approximately 40 percent of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy, more than 70 percent of those undergoing conditioning therapy for bone marrow transplantation, and virtually all patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

“Given the large numbers of women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer, oral mucositis is something that every patient, caregiver and family member should be aware of,” commented Anne Marie Shaftic, MSN, RN, Oncology Nurse Practitioner in Haskell, N.J. “Yet, although it is a common side effect of chemotherapy, a surprising percentage of the public seems largely unaware of oral mucositis, or that there are medications available to prevent and treat this painful and debilitating condition. Therefore, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month gives us an important opportunity to spread the word about oral mucositis and available treatment options.”