California Dental Association Encourages Oral Cancer Screening
The California Dental Association has encouraged California residents to have oral cancer screening tests to try and promote early detection and prevention of the disease.
The association has advised residents to support Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which is running throughout April, by taking the time to visit their local dental office for the short screening test. Offices all over the USA are hosting free screening as part of the campaign.
CDA President, Lindsey Robinson, said that dental professionals are often the first line of defence in the fight against oral cancer because they see patients on a regular basis and are able to identify early warning signs. In contrast, most people only see their doctor when they are already suffering from symptoms and feel unwell.
According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute, more than 40,000 people in the USA will be diagnosed with oral or throat cancer in the next 12 months and survival rates could be improved significantly if more people attend screening programmes and visit their dentists for regular check-ups.
The most common risk factors are drinking and smoking and exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus, which is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and a risk factor for cervical cancer.
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