Your Questions Answered About Oral Cancer Screenings | Dentist in 83704
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Oral cancer screenings [https://boisetownesquaredental.com/services/oral-cancer-screening/] are designed to identify a common condition and treat it early, when it is most curable. Screening is a fast and painless process built into a regular dental examination. Here are common questions and answers about oral cancers.
HOW COMMON IS ORAL CANCER?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the lifetime risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity and the upper throat (oropharynx) is about 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 140 for women. The American Cancer Society estimates that one person dies every hour worldwide from this condition, yet it is preventable and treatable.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The most common red flags include a mouth sore that won’t heal; red or white patches in your mouth tissue; lumps or swelling in or around your mouth; pain or difficulty swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue; dramatic weight loss; ear pain; and unexplained mouth bleeding.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR ORAL CANCER?
* Tobacco users are at greater risk of oral cancer, whether that is from smoking or products like chewing tobacco, snuff, and dip
* Heavy alcohol use, especially with tobacco use, significantly increases risk
* Excess weight and acid reflux diseases can increase risk, while a diet rich in fruit and vegetables appears to lower it
* The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk fa...
