When it comes to oral cancer survival rates, two numbers are key: 40% and 90%. At Harris Dental in Phoenix, we provide oral cancer screenings that might save your life, so those numbers make all the difference.
Here’s what they mean: 40% of individuals who receive a late-stage diagnosis die within five years. However, the survival rate for early stage diagnosis is 90%.
Oral Cavity and Oropharynx—Mouth and Throat
Cancers that originate in the mouth (oral cavity) are labeled oral cancers. The oral cavity is comprised of the inside tissue of the mouth and cheeks, the lips, the tissue below the tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the front two-thirds of the tongue.
“Why only two-thirds of the tongue?” you might ask. Because the back third of the tongue is considered part of the throat. Throat cancers, or oropharyngeal cancers, start in the oropharynx, the part of the mouth behind the parts considered part of the oral cavity. The oropharynx consists of the soft palate, the tonsils, and the throat.
How Are Oral Cancers Diagnosed?
Some oral cancers produce symptoms which prompt the patient to see a doctor and others are found by dentists and doctors during exams. Thousands of lives could be saved every year if more people received regular screenings.
A visual oral cancer exam is relatively quick and convenient, especially compared to other cancer screening tests such as colonoscopies and mammograms. If an abnormality is discovered during an exam, the patient is referred to an appropriate specialist for further testing and diagnosis.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Tobacco use (cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or snuff)
Heavy drinking
Unhealthy diet
HPV infection
Weak immune system
Frequent exposure to UV light
Be proactive. Ask us at Harris Dental to carry out an oral cancer screening during each examination. If you have one or more risk factors, it’s critical to communicate with us for advice on oral cancer screenings and prevention. We also provide cosmetic and general dentistry.
CONTACT HARRIS DENTAL:
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):