What You Need To Know About Oral Cancer

Staten Island oral cancer screening

During routine dental examinations, we may look for signs of oral cancer. Oral cancer refers to cancers in the tongue, mouth, lips, jaw, and throat. Many people don’t realize the seriousness of oral cancer. At The Staten Island Dentist we are raising awareness.

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 39,000 people will get oral cancer this year.

Consider this sobering news from the Oral Cancer Foundation:
“The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, and endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).”

When we perform an oral cancer screening during your dental examination, we will look for red or white spots, bleeding, lumps, difficulty swallowing, loose teeth, any color changes, and mouth sores. Is is critical to tell your dentist if your bite has changed, if you have sores that won’t heal, and prolonged hoarseness. An earache in only one ear can also be an indicator.

The existence of any of these symptoms does not mean you have oral cancer, as they can be caused by any number of other conditions. However, if we discover something unusual, we may order additional tests or refer you to a medical doctor for further diagnosis and treatment if necessary.

It’s probably no surprise that the main risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco use. This includes all forms, not just cigarettes. Those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are also more likely to contract this deadly cancer. People with HPV, a sexually-transmitted virus, have a higher risk and prolonged sun exposure to lips makes lip cancer more likely. All of these previously mentioned factors are lifestyle-related and, to a great extent, preventable. People who don’t use tobacco or drink heavily are statistically far less likely to get oral cancer and a host of other health problems.

At Staten Island Dental Care the dental health of each patient is of paramount importance. People from Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bayonne trust us with the health of their smiles, and also come to us for dental implants and other procedures. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Staten Island Dental Care – Dr. Frederick Hecht:

347-695-4380

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):


1520 Richmond Ave
Staten Island, New York
10314

 

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