The next time you visit your dentist, ask about your oral cancer screening – most people receive one during their regular dental checkup but do not realize it. The dentist checks about 10 places inside and around the mouth, looking for lumps or irregular tissue changes.

Every year, 35,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer, which accounts for roughly 7,500 deaths each year. "If detected early, oral cancer can be cured," says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Fred Magaziner, DDS, "That is why many dentists make this a part of their routine dental examination for their patients."

"Often, patients don't realize the exam is being conducted because it is a quick, comfortable addition to the patient's regular dental checkup," notes Dr. Magaziner.

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Everyone worries about cancer. Oral cancer is not as widely discussed but it is diagnosed in the United States 37,000 times per year. It causes 8,000 annual deaths, roughly one person an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The death rate is higher for oral cancer not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but because this type of cancer is routinely discovered late in its development.

The statistics have been consistent for years showing that it was being detected over the age of 40. However, new studies are revealing that it is occurring in much younger people because of certain risk factors. Younger people who smoke or use chewing tobacco are at a higher risk. Additionally, sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, particularly version I6 (HPVI6) which has been shown to cause cervical cancer, has been conclusively implicated in the increased occurrence of oral cancer in younger age groups.

Another important statistic is that it occurs in two men for every one woman.

It has been proven time and time again that early detection is a key to survival of this horrible disease. When discovered in the later stages, the survival rate can be as low as 28%. With early detection the survival rate jumps to an astounding 82%!

A good comparison of early detection/prevention results is women's annual pap smears and mammograms. These tests are usually conducted annually and are highly instrumental in preventing death from cervical or breast cancer. Oral cancer screening should be considered as vital as these other tests.

This is where we come in. We now have the Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection system. This is a very quick, painless, state of the art oral cancer screening exam that will be done during one of your semi-annual check-up and cleaning appointments. The procedure also allows us to take a digital photo which we will keep on file for comparison purposes (if necessary).

IF it is not covered by your insurance company, or if you do not have insurance, the fee for this service is a modest $35.00. Then again, is there any price that is too high to pay for your health and happiness?

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