What to Expect
As important as an oral cancer screening is, it’s a very short and simple process. During your checkup, our team will look closely at all parts of your mouth, checking specifically for signs of oral cancer. This exam may only last a minute or less, but it has the potential to save your life. You can expect a screening with each dental exam at our Chaska location.
Oral Cancer is a Serious Threat
The fact that we conduct these screenings is one of the most important reasons to never skip a dental appointment. Here are some startling statistics from the https://oralcancerfoundation.org/:
- Over 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year
- At least 9,000 of those cases will not survive the disease
- Six times more men will develop oral cancer than women
- The earlier the diagnoses of oral cancer, the greater the survival rate
Risk Factors You Can Control
Certain factors increase the risk of developing oral cancer, and some of them are within your control. Consider this list of the most common conditions and risk factors that lead to oral cancer:
- Tobacco use. Both smoking and chewing tobacco are known to increase the chances of developing oral cancer. However, the inflammation caused by smoking can especially lead to the development of this disease.
- Frequent alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is a common factor in many cancers as well, including oral cancer. Research has shown that the risk of development becomes higher among those who drink. That being said, if you drink and smoke, your risk exponentially increases.
