Dental Professionals are your first line of defense in detecting oral cancer

~Todd Johnson, DDS

Did you know that one American dies every hour from oral cancer? This is according to recent statistics released by the American Cancer Society.

Did you also know that the death rate for oral cancer has remained essentially unchanged for more than 40 years?

Here are other little known, but deadly, facts:

• The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.
• More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.
• 25% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.

The reason for the high death rate of the disease is mainly due to discovering the cancer only in its late stages. The good news is that when detected early there is a 90% cure rate. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages.

Equally unfortunate is the fact that there has been very little advancement in screening techniques - until recently.

New technology at the dental office

Dentists and hygienists now have a weapon to combat the threat of oral cancer. It’s called ViziLite ™. This technology allows the user to examine a patient’s oral cavity with a specially designed light that can immediately identify suspicious tissue. If any abnormalities are found a biopsy is ordered to confirm or rule out cancer. It is painless and fast.

Be sure to ask your dentist or dental hygienist about this new life saving technology. An annual examination is highly recommended.

For more information contact: Carolinas Dental Center at 704-543-1102 or on the web at www.carolinasdentalcenter.com

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