Early Screenings Are Key In Fight Against Oral Cancer

SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, Aspen Dental practices are reminding patients about the importance of early detection and supporting The Oral Cancer Foundation in recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year, oral cancer kills more people in the U.S. than other more widely known forms of cancer, including skin, lymphatic, thyroid, and cervical cancers – especially with the rise of HPV-positive oral cancer.

The Oral Cancer Foundation found that close to 43,250 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour. Of those 43,250 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years.

Oral cancer is an ideal cancer to identify early by screening. It is frequently preceded by an identifiable pre-malignant lesion and thus, can be diagnosed at a much earlier stage (I or II).

"If oral cancer is detected early (in stages one or two), the survival rate is 80% to 90%; but when found as a later stage (stages three or four), the chances of survival drop to 20% to 30%,"  said Maureen Howes, RDH, MS, managing director of hygiene services at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. "It's important to identify any possible signs or irregularities as early as possible, and one of the best ways to do that is through regular dental care and oral cancer screenings."

As a commitment to early detection of oral cancer, Aspen Dental will donate $5 to the Oral Cancer Foundation for every ViziLite® oral cancer screening conducted at Aspen Dental locations during the month of April. ViziLite® Plus is a specially designed light technology that can help detect oral cancer.

Since 2010, Aspen Dental has donated more than $63,000 to The Oral Cancer Foundation as part of this annual initiative.

"The funds raised through Aspen Dental's oral cancer screening campaign in April are imperative to help OCF continue to sponsor research, provide patient support, education, and early detection initiatives which are all related to our mission. We are proud to be associated with an organization that makes oral cancer screenings a priority in their practices," said Jamie O'Day, director of operations for The Oral Cancer Foundation.  

Throughout the month, Aspen Dental will be sharing information about oral cancer on its Facebook page.   Common risk factors for oral cancer include excessive alcohol consumption, use of tobacco products (smoked and smokeless), and HPV infection.

Possible signs and symptoms of oral cancer include: a sore in the throat or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal within two weeks; a lump or thickening in the cheek; a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth; a sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat; difficulty chewing or swallowing; difficulty moving the jaw or tongue; or numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth. Denture patients may experience swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.

To find locations offering free oral cancer screening in your area, including participating Aspen Dental offices, please visit the Oral Cancer Foundation event website.

About Aspen Dental
Dentists and staff at Aspen Dental practices believe everyone has the right to quality, affordable oral health care. As one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of independent dental care providers in the U.S., local Aspen Dental practices – nearly 500 of them across 30 states – offer patients a safe, welcoming and judgment-free environment to address their dental challenges. Every Aspen Dental-branded practice offers a full range of dental and denture services – including comprehensive exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontal treatment, whitening, oral surgery, crown and bridge work – allowing patients to have the peace of mind that they are taken care of and protected, so they can focus on getting the healthy mouth they deserve. In 2014, Aspen Dental-branded practices recorded more than 3.4 million patient visits and welcomed nearly 750,000 new patients.

To learn more about Aspen Dental practices and services, preview the Aspen Dental patient experience, get answers to general treatment questions, find a location, and schedule appointments, visit www.aspendental.com.

SOURCE Aspen Dental

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