It’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month and Your Dentist Is Talking about It

You may associate April with baseball games and that exciting turn of the seasons from winter to spring, but your dentist in Kernersville knows there is also something else to pay attention to this time of year. April has been designated as Oral Cancer Awareness Month — and that means it’s time to start the conversation about this deadly disease. Keep reading to learn more about it, including how an oral cancer screening could save the life of you or a loved one.

Facts about Oral Cancer

Oral cancer isn’t talked about nearly as much as other forms of the disease, but the rates are deadlier than those you hear about more often. It is estimated that 1 person in the United States is killed by oral cancer every hour of every day of the year. What’s more, some 40 million people will be diagnosed in our country alone this year.

Some additional things you should know about oral cancer include:

• More younger and healthy patients are being diagnosed with the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Men are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer than women
• Once the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 39%

Regular Screenings Are VIP

The good news is that early detection dramatically increases the rate of successful treatment. Adults of all ages should receive an oral cancer screening at least once a year. This is a quick and easy exam that can be completed at the end of your routine checkup and cleaning. Your dentist will first ask you questions to determine whether or not there have been any recent changes in your oral or overall health. Then, they will look and feel around your oral cavity and the surrounding structures to find any potentially troubling areas. If anything is located, next steps will be recommended to ensure you receive the follow-up treatment you need.

Let’s Talk about Oral Cancer

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month for a reason. Most people are unaware of the seriousness of this disease — or how far early detection can go in reducing the risk of it spreading. If you and/or your loved ones have never received an oral cancer screening in Kernersville, now is a great time to schedule one. Your very life could depend on it.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Veronica Walker and Dr. Zack Walker are a mother-and-son team offering exceptional care for friends and families in Kernersville. Patients of all ages can turn to them for a full list of treatments, including oral cancer screenings. To schedule one for you or someone you love, do not hesitate to call the office at (336) 993-3727.