Orange County Dental Hygienists' Society responses to GMA report linking x-rays to brain tumors

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Keeping-Members-Informed--GMA-reports--Dental-x-rays-linked-to-brain-tumors.html?soid=1101774181703&aid=nuLr6y95AYQ

Oral Cancer Stats

Rates of oral cancer occurrence in the United States

Close to 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 40,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. (Approximately 57%) This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, and endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma). If you expand the definition of oral cancers to include cancer of the larynx, for which the risk factors are the same, the numbers of diagnosed cases grow to approximately 54,000 individuals, and 13,500 deaths per year in the US alone. Worldwide the problem is much greater, with over 640,000 new cases being found each year. Statistics on worldwide occurrence Oral cancers are part of a group of cancers commonly referred to as head and neck cancers, and of all head and neck cancers they comprise about 85% of that category. Brain cancer is a cancer category unto itself, and is not included in the head and neck cancer group.

Information from OCF http://oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/index.htm

ORAL CANCER IS NOT ALWAYS NOTICABLE TO THE LAY PERSON.  THIS IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE YOUR DENTAL PROFESSIONAL ON A REGULAR BASIS

April is ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

 

Even though smoking and tobacco products increase your risk of oral cancer.  It is more prevalent than you think among those who don't use tobacco products.  The Oral Cancer Foundation is a great resource for up-to-date statistics and research as it relates to oral cancer.  http://oralcancerfoundation.org/ 

The Oral Cancer Examination, done by your dentist or hygienist, is the most important part of the dental visit.  There is also new and emerging devices and techniques in which oral cancer is detected and diagnosed sooner.  Most times, by the time an oral lesion is seen in the mouth, it has metastasized to a much later stage of cancer.  As a mobile hygienist, I am often the one who first detects abnormalities in the oral cavity.  Since my patients are medically compromised, it is vital for me to give a thorough oral cancer exam and note and refer any abnormalities to their medical professional. 
Kimberly Cruz, RDHAP