April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. During this month it is important for you to make sure that you have received you annual screenings. You can get more information about oral cancer from your dentist or perform a search online. Oral cancer will claim about 8,000 lives this year. With 42,000 cases diagnosed every year the fact that about 57% of them will not be alive within five years is startling.
Early detection and awareness of oral cancer still save lives. Using experienced dentists such as the Dentist Perth Amboy who understand exactly what to look for in annual screenings and educate their patients about the ramifications of undiagnosed oral cancer will help with treatment options. Death rates in cancer patients are high because of delayed diagnoses. Treating cancer after it metastasizes and spread to other areas of the body decreases success rates.
You can conduct self examinations in conjunction with your annual screenings performed by Dentist Perth Amboy. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend performing self examinations if it is difficult to swallow, you have a persistent sore throat or harsh voice; you have red or white patches in your mouth or a growth in your mouth. In order to complete the exam, you will need light and a mirror. Self examinations should be conducted frequently. Do them as often as you like for peace of mind.
The self exam is simple examination of all areas of your mouth including your tongue, lips and cheeks looking for any signs of discolorations and growths. If you find problems you should contact your Dentist Perth Amboy. They will be able to diagnose your symptoms and if necessary determine the appropriate treatment for your situation. If all is well, continue to administer self examinations. It is also a good idea to avoid behavior that may increase your risk of cancer. Smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking are all behaviors that will increase your risk for getting cancer. You should incorporate healthy habits in your daily routine to promote better health overall. This includes eating healthy, exercising and getting the appropriate annual screenings.
