According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer is: about 1 in 60 (1.7%) for men and 1 in 140 (0.71%) for women. There are a number of risk factors, but it’s important to know that people who don’t smoke or use tobacco are also at risk of developing oral cancer. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 63, but they can occur in young people. Just over 20% (1 in 5) of cases occur in patients younger than 55.
Many times, your dentist is the first line of defense for discovering oral cancers, therefore we provide oral cancer screenings for our patients. During an oral cancer screening exam, Dr. Ben looks over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Using gloved hands, he also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities and examines your throat and neck for lumps. Should Dr. Ben find anything concerning, he will refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and testing. If you notice an unusual lump, swelling or mouth sore that won’t go away, give us a call to schedule an oral screening at (850) 385-5297.
Oral Cancer Screening:
