Oral cancer will be diagnosed in approximately 53,000 people in the United Sates this year. It will claim the life of nearly 1 person per hour. There is an 80-90 percent survival rate if the cancer is diagnosed in its early stage of development. For this reason our office completes an oral cancer screening at each of our patients’ dental hygiene appointments. We encourage you to monitor your oral cavity for signs and symptoms as well.
Areas to check for oral cancer:
- Lips
- Gums
- Tongue
- Inner cheek tissue
- Roof and floor of the mouth
- What to look for:
- Red or white patches
- Sore that does not heal
- A growth or lump
- Pain
- Difficulty swallowing
Oral cancer risk factors include:
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Heavy sun exposure on lips
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
- Compromised immune system
If you feel any of these apply to you and have symptoms that have lasted longer then 2 weeks, or if you have any questions, please contact our office to discuss this.
