Dentists are at the forefront of the war on oral cancer.

More than 90 percent of all oral and pharyngeal cancers occur in people over 45 years of age and are twice as common in men as in women. According to an article in the Journal of the American Dental Association, oral cancer screenings by dentists can play a critical role in reducing the mortality rate of 9,000 people a year. The five year survival rate for people diagnosed with oral cancer is the lowest of all major cancers. Yet if detected early, the cure rate for oral cancer is better than 75 to 80 percent after five years. In addition to regular dental treatment, an oral cancer exam is an excellent reason to see your dentist.

Last modified: 05/03/04