It’s Time For An Oral Cancer Screening!

Did you know that you don’t have to be a smoker to be at risk for oral cancer? In fact, there has been a rise in the number of non-tobacco users who are newly diagnosed with some form of oral cancer each year. The reason may surprise you. Please keep reading to learn more about the risk factors and how to get screened for oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Awareness
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and a good time to remind you that an oral cancer screening is an important part of your semiannual dental checkup. We offer oral cancer screenings for our patients because we care about their overall health, not just their teeth and gums.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Smoking and tobacco use are the top risk factors for oral cancer. But did you know that sun exposure and tanning bed use — past and present — also put you at risk? There is another risk factor that most people are unaware of. A growing number of newly diagnosed oral cancer patients have been infected with human papillomavirus, which affects millions of people a year.

So, even if you do not smoke or use tobacco, you may still have an elevated risk of oral cancer. Cell damage is cumulative and often catches up to us later in life, even after we’ve changed our habits. Most people are diagnosed with oral cancer in their 60s, which is why regular screenings are important, especially as you age.

Prevention and Detection
We encourage all of our patients to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of oral cancer, and we provide an oral cancer screening with every dental examination in our office.

Here are some things you can start doing now to help lower your risk:
#1 – Stop smoking and using any type of tobacco product. This is the most important thing you can do to improve your dental health and your overall health and reduce your risk of oral cancer.
#2 – Protect your skin by using sunscreen on your face and lips every day, wearing a large-brimmed hat when you’re out in the sun, and avoiding tanning beds and artificial UV light devices. This will reduce your oral cancer risk and help prevent premature aging, sunspots, and wrinkles on your face and neck.
#3 – Get tested for HPV – Millions of people are infected with human papillomavirus every year and are completely unaware. Many times, they have no symptoms and no reason to believe they are infected. Testing is usually available through your primary care doctor or OB/GYN.
#4 – Get regular oral cancer screenings from your dentist. Screening is essential in detecting oral cancer in the early stages when treatment is usually more successful. A preliminary screening for oral cancer takes very little time and is non-invasive.

Help Us Spread Awareness
Oral cancer is a serious threat to your oral and overall health. With a quick screening every six months and some preventative measures, you can reduce your risk for severe disease. We hope you will spread the word about the importance of oral cancer screenings this month to promote Oral Cancer Awareness. As always, if you have any questions or would like to schedule your next appointment for an examination and oral cancer screening, please call our office located in Bozeman, MT. We look forward to seeing you soon!