Dentist in Huntersville
When it comes to fighting off cancers, the most important tool that every patient needs to be equipped with is awareness. Especially since cancer, in general, does not have any known cure, you’re best bet of surviving any kind of malignancy is to catch the cancer early. During the early stages of cancer, the effected cells are still contained within the effected organ, making them easy to single out and destroy through radiation therapy. Did you know that one of the dental services in Huntersville, NC Dr. Langdon offers is oral screening for cancer?
Worrying Oral Cancer Awareness Rates
However, while awareness rates for other known malignancies, such as breast cancer, are high, dentists aren’t so sure about how informed the public is with regards to oral cancer. According to a survey which was participated in by more than 800 people, researchers have found out that three in every four parents were not able to recognize the early signs of oral cancer. The respondents were composed of children aged between 12 to 16 as well as their parents. Among the younger participants of the survey, 85 percent did not know any of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer.
Implications of Not Knowing the Early Signs of Oral Cancer
Although oral cancer isn’t one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, this form of malignancy is still something which one has to be wary of because self-diagnosis for oral cancer is rather difficult. This complexity is compounded when a person is not aware of the early signs and symptoms for oral cancer because individuals will not know what to watch out for.
Oral Cancer in Males
Cases of oral cancer are increasing per year. In fact, the number of oral cancer has jumped by almost 50 percent in the past ten years. One way for you to combat this form of malignancy is by taking the time to find out if you are at risk for oral cancer. Aside from individuals who smoke, men are also more likely to get oral cancer as compared to their female counterparts. However, in the same study, it has been found out that only 17 percent of males know the symptoms of oral cancer.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Some of the signs of oral cancer include a sore which never heals as well as bleeding anywhere inside your mouth. Because oral cancer can also involve your throat, another symptom of oral cancer is soreness in your mouth or throat and sufferers may feel like there’s a lump at the back of their throat.
As stated earlier, early detection is your best defense of combating oral cancer. Get your comprehensive oral screening from Dr. Tate C. Langdon today.
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