WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ORAL CANCER Early Detection Saves Lives
Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and 10,000 lose their lives to the disease. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which draws attention to the fact that many oral cancers are preventable and treatable. Oral cancer can appear on the lips, tongue, hard and soft palate, floor of the mouth, cheeks, sinuses, or throat. Men make up about 70% of oral cancer diagnoses, with male smokers and excessive drinkers over 50 being most at risk. Poor diet, excessive sun exposure, and HPV infection also have links to oral cancer. Symptoms of the disease include lumps, bumps, and discolored or rough patches in the mouth. Unexplained oral bleeding, numbness, or sores also require medical attention immediately. Sufferers may also experience swelling, ear pain, sore throat, or dramatic weight loss. But with all cancers, early detection is key to preventing the worst outcomes, and many people do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed. Oral cancer patients have an 83% five-year survival rate when diagnosed early. Unfortunately, many cases are discovered late, when the five-year survival rate drops to 50%.
It’s one of the many reasons regular dental visits are crucial to your overall health. During your appointment, your dentist will conduct a routine exam, including asking about any changes in your medical history and new, abnormal symptoms. Next, the dentist will perform a visual exam of the mouth and throat and feel for any lumps in the neck or jaw areas. Since not all oral cancers are immediately visible, at Exceptional Smiles, we also use a VELscope Scanner to help detect early instances of oral cancer. During the month of April, Exceptional Smiles is offering free VELscope oral cancer screenings, valued at $100. The handheld device uses a blue light to sense changes in your mouth, and any concerning areas will appear fluorescent. If the dentist observes worrying signs, they will conduct further tests to confirm or rule out cancerous cells. The process only takes a couple of minutes and allows us to make more early detections and save more lives. For the sake of your health, if you notice any changes in your mouth, seek immediate guidance from your dentist. And if it has just been a while since you last came in for a cleaning, don’t put it off any longer. Your life could depend on it.
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