“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 completely understand the impact prevention can have on our lives?
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and we would like to stress the importance of regular oral cancer screenings. Prevention, through early detection, is crucial to saving 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 roughly 57%; however, when oral cancer is detected in its early stages, there is an 80-90% survival rate.
Those at increased risk include anyone ages 40 and over, ages 18-39 combined with tobacco use (smoked or smokeless), chronic alcohol use, sun exposure and oral HPV infection. The highest risk group includes those ages 65 and older with the previously mentioned lifestyle risks and a previous oral cancer diagnosis. When tobacco and chronic alcohol use are combined, a person’s risk increases 15 times more than those who don’t have these habits.
Oral cancer is increasing in people under 40 due to HPV infection and the use of smokeless tobacco. If you have any of these risk factors, your dentist or hygienist may suggest an enhanced oral cancer screening, like Vizilite Plus®, a simple, painless procedure that involves a rinse and the use of a light wand.
It helps detect tissue abnormalities that may go undetected during a standard visual exam. If an unusual area is noticed during the exam, further testing may be necessary. A tissue biopsy may be necessary to establish a final diagnosis and determine treatment.
If you have any of the following issues, you should visit your dentist right away: a sore or irritation that doesn’t go away after 14 days, red or white patches, pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips, lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas, difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue.
Almost 53,000 people in the United States will be affected by oral cancer this year, with one in four not having risk factors when diagnosed. Nearly 10,000 people die from oral cancer each year – that’s one person each hour. These statistics are alarming but 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. We do screen for oral cancer at your regular dental cleaning, and we also use Vizilite Plus® to enhance our oral cancer screening.
Cape May Dental Associates is located at 411 Park Blvd., Cape May, NJ 08204. For more information, visit capemaydental.com, call (609) 884-5335, follow Cape May Dental on Facebook or email Dr. Ee, at contact@capemaydental.com.
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