| Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S. |  |
Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S. |
| THE TOOTH TRIBUNE |
FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ORAL CANCER
1. Oral and throat cancer account for two to four percent of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States.
2.
Oral cancer development seems to begin in many cases with exposure
(in the mouth and throat) to topical carcinogens (cancer causing)
agents, predominantly alcohol and tobacco. However, oral cancers occur
in some patients with no history of tobacco or alcohol usage and no
other apparent risk factors.
3. Cancer Prevention Studies have concluded that male cigarette smokers had a relative risk for oral cancer 27.7 times greater than males who had never smoked. For women the ratio was six times greater.
The good news is that any cancer caught early seriously increases
the survival rate and that a part of every oral examination at The Dentists'
Office is a "cancer check." Your dentist and hygienist are always
on the lookout for warning signs, precancerous and cancerous conditions.
You hedge your bets with regard to oral and throat cancer every time
you get an oral examination at The Dentists' Office, so make regular
checkups a priority!