In 2013 more than 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer
and approximately 6,850 will die of the disease.[1]
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) oral cancer, which is
more common than leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and cancers of the brain, liver,
bone, thyroid gland, stomach, ovaries, and cervix, is a major cause of death
and disfigurement in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
located here in Atlanta, GA., approximately 75% of all oral cavity and
pharyngeal cancers—mouth, tongue, lips, throat, nose, and larynx— can be
attributed to the use of tobacco related products. Those who choose
to use cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, or snuff, place
themselves at a much higher risk of developing oral cancer and other diseases,
such as heart disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
With the level of prevalence described above, the oral cancer
screening routinely performed during one's hygiene and dental examination
is one of the most critical preventative components of your bi-annual
visits to the dentist.
If you find anything out of the ordinary during a
self-examination—particularly anything that does not heal or go away in two
weeks, or that has recently changed— make sure you discuss it with your dentist
or physician. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and we offer
free cancer screening, so please feel free to contact us if you have any
questions or concerns.
Source:
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research’s (NIDCR) National Oral
Health Information Clearinghouse in partnership with the National Cancer
Institute, the National Institute of Nursing Research, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and the Friends of the NIDCR.
Novy
Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter
Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy
Springs) GA 30328
404-256-3620
Related Articles
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- Dentist Sandy
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- http://oralcancerfoundation.org/events/oral-cancer-awareness-month.html
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