Every hour, 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, someone dies of oral or oropharyngeal cancer (cancers of the mouth and upper throat) in the US. However, when oral cancer is detected and treated early, treatment-related health problems are reduced, and survival rates may increase.
This year an estimated 51,550 new cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancers will be diagnosed in the US. Of those individuals, 40 percent will not survive longer than five years, and many who do survive suffer long-term problems, such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking. The death rate associated with oral and oropharyngeal cancers remains particularly high because the cancers routinely are discovered late in their development.
Regular oral cancer examinations performed by your oral health professional remain the best method for detecting oral cancer in its early stages.
As your dental care team, we can ensure you that all patients at Valley Dental Group receive a proper intra/extra oral exam. Valley Dental Group believes it is the standard of care that all our patients during a comprehensive exam and periodic exam receive a thorough intra/extra oral exam (aka: oral cancer screening). We also offer the VelScope Oral Cancer screening, which helps detect oral cancer in the early stages. If you have any concerns, please make sure to talk with your dentist.