Oral Cancer

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Oral cancer screening exams can save lives.  Follow the
above image to the oral cancer foundation website.

The month of April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month in the United States of America. It may surprise you to learn that it has been for the last 13 years – since 1999. Another thing that may surprise you is the rapidly rising problem of oral cancer in the United States. Oral cancer cases increase each year; the best chance for survival is early detection and the best chance of early detection is awareness.

 Oral cancer is common, with roughly 35,000 new cases reported annually in the United States. The vast majority of oral cancers occur in people older than 50 years, with men being twice as likely as women to develop the disease. The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth and soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, lips and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery and even death.  Scientists have found that the carcinogens in tobacco products and alcohol, as well as excessive exposure to the sun, lead to an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

 At Dental Associates we perform a thorough oral cancer screening exam during your cleaning visits every six months.  This is just one more reason to be sure that you keep your 6 month check-up appointment.