Oral Cancer
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Oral Cancer is a worldwide problem. There are more than 481,000 new cases of oral cancer every year.
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Someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone.
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It is estimated that 34,360 Americans will develop oral cancer every year.
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Of the 30,000 Americans that develop oral cancer every year, more than 25% will die from it.
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More people die from oral cancer than cervical cancer or melanoma (a skin cancer).
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Of the people diagnosed with oral cancer, only about half will survive more than five years.
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African Americans are 33% more likely to develop oral cancer than whites; they also have almost twice the mortality rate.
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Oral cancer is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in its early stages.
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Your dentist and hygienist should be screening you for oral cancer at your regular dental checkups.
According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone. Over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This serious dental disease which pertains to the mouth, lips or throat is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors: Tobacco use is the number one risk factor in oral cancer. Studies have shown that at least 75% of those diagnosed were either current or former tobacco users. Heavy use of alcohol among tobacco users has been proven to have a 15% greater risk of developing oral cancer than tobacco users that aren't heavy alcohol users. Age and prolonged exposure to radiation or sunlight are contributing factors as well.
Oral Cancer Signs & Symtoms: Unfortunately, in its early stages, oral cancer can go unnoticed. Oral Cancer could look like a common ulcer, cold sore or a discoloration of tissue. Fortunately, your dentist can see or feel if a lesion looks cancerous. If you have any type of lesion in your mouth, or on your lips, that doesn’t heal within two weeks, or a difficulty in swallowing for a prolonged period of time, it is very important to see your dentist right away.
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