Serving areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month? Oral cancer is talked about less often than other types of cancer, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Most people assume that you can only get oral cancer by using tobacco products, but that is not the case. Oral cancer, otherwise referred to as Oropharyngeal cancer, is a deadly disease that can affect nearly anyone. Dr. Christine Tenaglia, a general dentist in Okemos, wants to share why you should have an oral cancer screening even if you aren’t using tobacco products.
Oral Cancer Facts
Oral cancer might be one of the lesser-known types of cancer, but it’s still very serious. Your award-winning dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, has all of the answers you need about this deadly disease:
Oral cancer is extremely serious, killing one person every hour of every day, 365 days a year. More than 51,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in an average year. Meanwhile, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, only 57 percent of newly diagnosed patients will survive more than five years. This is because many cases of oral cancer are not discovered until they have metastasized to other locations in the body, which frequently means spreading to the lymph nodes in the neck.
Early detection is particularly important when dealing with oral cancer. Your best chances for survival and avoiding long-term problems such as severe facial disfigurement or difficulties with eating and speaking, are to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages.
Symptoms and warning signs for oral cancer are particularly difficult to pinpoint because it often doesn’t even cause pain. Oral cancer can appear as ulceration, sores, discolorations of soft tissue, bleeding easily from areas in the mouth, or as a lump in the mouth and neck. Oral cancer may cause sudden or unexplained weight loss. Difficulty moving the tongue, swallowing, or chewing has been linked to oral cancer. However, some of this symptom may not appear until you’re in the later stages. By that time, the cancer could have spread to other areas of the body.
Screening for oral cancer is simple and pain-free. At Tenaglia Smiles, our oral cancer screenings are performed during each of our regularly scheduled check-ups. The examination is done by performing gentle palpitations of the mouth. If any area is considered questionable, a follow-up diagnostic procedure can follow by using a 3D imaging device or performing a biopsy.
Oral Cancer Doesn’t Just Affect Tobacco Users
Indeed, tobacco increases the likelihood of developing oral cancer, but there are other influencing factors, too. Oral cancer is more likely to occur in people who drink heavily, those over the age of 50, and men face a higher statistical likelihood than women. Recently, studies have shown HPV increases the chances of developing oral cancer with an increasing number of people under the age of 30 developing oral cancer related to HPV. Ultraviolet light and excessive sun exposure can cause oral cancer on the lips. Certain genetic conditions also can elevate your risk of oral cancer: GVHD (graft-versus-host-disease), lichen planus, and inherited genetic mutations. Certain medications, particularly those that involve immunosuppression, can make you more likely to suffer from esophageal or oral cancer.
Anyone of any age can develop oral cancer, which is why you need to schedule your oral cancer screening in Okemos today at Tenaglia Smiles. Receiving proper oral cancer screenings at least once a month is your best defense against the threat of oral cancer. Dr. Tenaglia can perform your screening in just a few minutes, as part of your regularly scheduled check-up. That’s a couple of minutes every six months that could mean the difference between life and death. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Oral Cancer Screenings in Okemos
Christine Tenaglia, DDS, doesn’t want you to go on not knowing any longer. She is known as the local media “People’s Choice Award” for being Okemos’ favorite dentist. If you live in the areas of Okemos, Lansing or East Lansing in Michigan, then Dr. Christine Tenaglia is the doctor for you. Contact us online today or feel free to call us at (517) 347-6733 to schedule your appointment.