April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month; Why You Should be Screened

 

 


Oral cancer can affect the mouth, tongue, throat, lips and esophagus. And with the HPV virus on the rise, dental examinations are more important than ever in detecting oral cancers. Most dentists provide a manual examination of your mouth at your regular dental cleanings. Some might offer the opportunity for a screening too with a screening tool, like the  Veloscope. www.veloscope.com. It's a simple, short procedure, and commonly provided at nominal fees.

If you haven't heard of a oral cancer screening, ask your dentist at your next visit.

Who's most susceptible to oral cancer?  Well, it’s estimated that approximately 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018. Gender, diet, age, tobacco and alcohol use, and the HPV virus can be higher risk factors for oral cancer, and even working outside can lend itself to lip cancers.

Educate yourself on screening options and talk to your dentist. Many people have attributed smoking and chewing tobacco to oral cancer, but we now know that there are other factors that can be equally high risk factors.

Make sure you eat healthy, wear lip sunscreen and avoid nicotine products. Just going to your regular dental cleanings is a great way to be screened and checked by a doctor. The key to treating oral cancer is detecting it early.

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