You are probably familiar with the old adage, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This saying goes a long way when we examine your mouth, lips, and neck at your regular visits.

    April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and we take oral cancer screenings seriously here at TDE. Did you know that a person dies of oral cancer every hour of every day here in the U.S.? According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 100 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each day. That's approximately 37,000 Americans each year.

    Risk factors include the use of any tobacco products, excessive alcohol use, sun exposure and diets low in fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, all of us have control over these risks. However, new studies are showing that the fastest growing segment is the 25-50 age range due to the human papilloma virus HPV-16.  

   Survival rates for oral cancer vary a great degree depending on the stage that the cancer is detected. Currently, when oral cancer is found in the early stages (1 or 2), you have a 80-90% chance of survival. If cancer is found in the later stages (3 or 4), the survival rate is only 20-30%. According to the American Cancer Society's website, www.cancer.org, the 5-year survival rate for early stage cancer is about 83%.

    Early detection is the key to treatment and survival of oral cancer. When you come in, we look for any changes in your mouth. These changes may include mouth sores that bleed easily and do not heal, red or white patches that persist or lumps. In between regular dental visits, you can take an active role by performing a monthly self-examination. Look for our handy guide in this month's newsletter mailed to your home for instructions on self-examination. 

   If it's been awhile since we've seen you, please call our office for an exam. We won't make you feel guilty about the time that's passed. We are here to help you stay healthy.

   In the Interest of Your Better Dental Health,

                     Dr. Chuck        

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