Oral Cancer Screening
At every hygiene visit, an oral cancer screening is completed. Oral cancer is among the deadliest of cancers and our office is committed to assuring you that you do not have this disease.
Why Are We Concerned about Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gums, or roof of the mouth (palate). Close to 36,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Of those 36,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers about which we routinely hear such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but due to this cancer usually being discovered late in its development. In its early stages oral cancer may not be noticed by the patient because there commonly is no pain or easily recognizable symptoms. Please be aware of any sores in your mouth or lumps on your face or neck that do not heal within 10-14 days and call us for an appointment. The main risk for developing oral cancer is smoking.
This is why Mark O. Finney, DDS is dedicated to being sure you have an oral cancer screen at your visits.
.