Issue 15.11
Oral cancer kills one American every hour of every day—higher than many better-known cancers such as melanoma. It is a silent killer often detected too late, but curable 75 % of the time when caught early. Unfortunately it is caught too late and only 50% of those diagnosed will survive more than five years. As you can see, early detection is key but is not occurring as it should. In fact, only 20% of people report having an oral cancer exam in the last year. The screening is quick and should be conducted every year. Does Your Annual Check-up include a screening exam?
In the early stages, oral cancer is painless and the physical signs may not be obvious. This makes it a very dangerous disease. Regular professional screenings combined with a person’s knowledge of the warning signs will allow for detection at the earliest possible stage—when a cure and survival are most likely. Here are the warning signs to look for:
Early Indicators:
Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissues of the mouth.
Any sore which does not heal within 14 days.
Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time.
Advanced Indicators:
A sensation that something is stuck in your throat.
Numbness in the oral region.
Difficulty in moving the jaw or tounge.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Ear pain which occurs on one side only.
A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal.
A lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or on the neck.
Fortunately, the state of Utah, when compared to other states, ranks last in occurrence of oral cancer. Nevertheless, Dr Rodney Andrus is offering FREE Oral Cancer Screenings during normal business hours at St George Center for Specialized Dentistry during Oral Cancer Awareness Month of April. To take advantage of this FREE public screening and obtain FREE information on the risk factors of oral cancer call Dr Andrus’ office at 674-3100.