committed to ensuring the utmost care for our patients and their smiles. In April, we’re taking that commitment one step further and putting on our running shoes – because we’ll be taking part in this year’s Oral Cancer Foundation Walk for Awareness!
The Oral Cancer Foundation “is a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities.”
Approximately 48,250 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and sadly the occurrence of this disease is only increasing, with new cases exceeding 450,000 worldwide annually.
While we all know that heavy tobacco/alcohol consumption and poor oral hygiene can be a major cause of oral cancer, studies have also shown increased correlations with aging, a diet low in fruits and vegetables, and the HPV virus. Mouth cancers will be newly diagnosed in about 132 new individuals each day in the U.S. alone.
Early detection of the disease often leads to high survival rates, but many of the cases are unfortunately found at a later stage – when survival rates fall to around 40%. Giving up smoking or tobacco use, reducing alcohol intake and keeping your mouth clean and healthy are all positive steps to preventing oral cancer.
April is also Oral Cancer Month, so the time to spread this message is now. If you’d like to join us on Saturday, April 2 or support our team visit our team page for more details.