Did you know that you need to get an oral cancer screening at least once a year? It’s true. Oral cancer is one that can sneak up on you, and if it isn’t caught early, it can be devastating. You need to take care of yourself and get an oral cancer screening as soon as possible. Here are a few other reasons why it is important to get an oral cancer screening.
- Quick, Easy and Painless. The oral cancer screening is only about 5 minutes, there is no pain involved, and it is a visual exam of your mouth, lips, and face. No other tests are needed unless signs of oral cancer are present, when more tests would need to be ordered.
- It Can Save Your Life. This is probably the most obvious reason to get an oral cancer screening, but having a screening done can potentially save your life. Oral cancer is something that is hard to detect on your own, so go in to see your dentist regularly because they will be able to spot signs you might miss. The survival rate of oral cancer is much better if caught early.
- Early Detection. Early detection of oral cancer is key to beating it. If treated early, the survival rate increases to about 80%. It is also important to take preventative measures to avoid getting oral cancer. If you smoke, chew tobacco, drink excessively or have prolonged exposure to the sun, you should seriously consider changing your habits and also make sure to get regular oral cancer screenings to catch any damage that has already been done.
Oral cancer can sneak up on you if you aren’t making it a priority to watch for it. Here at the office of Kenneth R. Russell DDS, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to come into our office for an oral cancer screening, so we can help you maintain healthy oral hygiene.