“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote has been heard time and time again, but do we really understand the impact prevention can have on our lives? Regarding oral cancer, prevention and early detection is crucial to saving many lives. Unlike other diseases, in its early stages it can be symptomless, going unnoticed until the cancer has spread to other areas. When the cancer spreads, the five year survival rate is only about 53 percent, however, when oral cancer is detected in its early stages there is an 80-90 percent survival rate!
Those at increased risk include anyone ages 40 and over, ages 18-39 combined with tobacco use, chronic alcohol use, sun exposure, and oral HPV infection. If you have any of these risk factors your dentist or hygienist may suggest an enhanced oral cancer screening like Vizilite Plus®, which helps detect tissue abnormalities that may go undetected during a standard visual exam.
More than 40,000 people are affected by oral cancer every year and one in every four of these people had no risk factors when diagnosed. These alarming statistics can be improved simply by prevention and early detection. Through lifestyle changes and annual screenings you have the power to decrease your chances of getting oral cancer.
We at Cape May Dental Associates are committed to providing the best care possible for all our patients and are focused on prevention and early detection of all oral diseases.
-By Chie Li Ee, DMD and Gina Pratta
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
