Have you ever wanted to be a hero? Have you ever thought about how rewarding it would be to save a life? Well, April is oral cancer awareness month. Educating yourself on the risks, symptoms, diagnosis process and treatment could help save a life. Studies have shown an alarming low awareness of oral cancer among the public (this means you!)1. If you don’t have the knowledge to protect yourelves from the risks of oral cancer, you will continue to put your life at risk.
Oral cancer is a stealth disease. Like other cancers, oral cancer can spread to different parts of your body and reduce your rate of survival. The high death rate of oral cancer can easily be attributed to late diagnosis. Early oral cancer can lack pain and symptoms so it is also important to visit a dentist once a year and ask for an oral cancer screening.
Oral cancer is not always an easy subject to talk about. It is also not an easy cancer to live through. It is extremely important to think about what risks you are taking that can increase you chance of developing oral cancer. Only half of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer survive more than 5 years 2. For this reason alone, you should be aware of what contributes to the development of oral cancer.
We will continue the topic of oral cancer awareness throughout the month of April. Stay tuned for more information on risky behavior, diagnostic procedures and treatment of oral cancer. Below is link to information about FREE oral cancer screenings in Colorado Springs, CO during the month of April.
http://www.oralcancer-screening.org/events/index.php?eID=3551
1. Warnakulasuriya, K. A. A. S. “An Alarming Lack of Public Awareness towards Oral Cancer.” British Dental Journal 187.6 (1999). Http://oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/additional_dental.htm. Oral Cancer Foundation. Web.
2. “Oral Health Topics.” Cancer, Oral. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. http://www.ada.org/2607.aspx