Critical Oral Cancer Facts
And what to know about prevention
Oral cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease. Every year, over 50,000 Americans receive a diagnosis. Typically, it affects men at twice the rate of women and is most often diagnosed in those 40 years of age and older. Risk factors include tobacco use (especially chewing tobacco), consuming alcohol, and contracting human papillomavirus (HPV). If these characteristics describe you, then be sure to do your best to change the behavior! Additionally, statistics show that those with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables are less likely to develop the disease.
Furthermore, if you’re at high risk, be sure to have an oral cancer screening whenever you visit the dentist. We may be the first to recognize symptoms of the disease, and early treatment is vital to successful treatment.
Oral cancer screening.
When you visit our office, we’ll be happy to provide an oral cancer screening to accompany your normal evaluation. We’ll look for any trouble spots that may indicate a problem. These include lesions or sores that are red or white in appearance, and that don’t seem to heal. They may even be painless, in a way that makes them difficult to detect on your own. We’ll also examine all the surrounding soft tissue on your mouth, jaw, and face, feeling for any lumps or irregularities.
If you have any questions or you are looking for an oral cancer screening, please don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule an appointment. If you have any troubling symptoms or suspect a problem, we know how stressful it can be. Please know that we will do our best to get you an appointment as soon as possible.
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