Oral Cancer Symptoms: Are you Familiar?

Michael Douglas is one of many public figures who has given a famous face to oral cancer. Mr. Douglas makes a fine role model for those battling the disease, because he has recovered quite well. Until hearing about a famous person’s battle with a certain type of cancer, many Americans don’t give particular malignancies a whole lot of thought. Fortunately, if you keep up with your six month dental checkups, you’ll have a great chance of catching any oral cancer as early as possible.

Oral Cancer Statistics

Oral cancer claims more than 8,000 Americans, that’s one person every hour of every day, 365 days each year. This year, approximately 37,000 Americans will receive a diagnosis of oral/pharyngeal cancer. Half will live more than 5 years, but the other half won’t have as good of a prognosis. Risk factors include smoking and drinking alcohol, but anyone can develop the condition. The dentist screens for oral cancer at checkups and could be your first line of defense against oral cancer. The best defense against oral cancer is early detection and treatment.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Drs. Wager and Evans screen for oral cancer at every dental checkup. Between visits, be aware of early symptoms: white or red patches, unusual lesions, or sores anywhere in the mouth. One sign of oral cancer is mouth sores which either don’t heal in about two weeks, or seem to heal and then recur over and over again. Lesions can appear on many spots of the mouth: tongue, cheeks, lips, and other soft oral tissues. If you notice a suspicious lesion, schedule a checkup with our dental team at Reno Family Dentistry. Most likely, your sore will be benign, but if there is a malignancy, you can give yourself a great leg up with early diagnosis and immediate treatment.

Visit your Reno Dentists

At Wager Evans Dental, we take your health seriously. Our job is to help you enjoy a long life, filled with healthy, happy smiles. If you need a family dentist in the Reno area, call Wager Evans Dental today at 775-829-7700 to schedule an appointment.