Grapevine, TX Dentists Heed the Importance of Oral Cancer Awareness

GRAPEVINE, Texas, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- One hundred people in the United States every day will be diagnosed with oral cancer and one person every hour of the day will die from it, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

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"The good news is that now it is easier than ever to detect oral cancer at an earlier stage through a routine dental exam," said Scott Mason, D.D.S. at Burgess & Mason Family Dentist. "We want people to be aware of oral cancer risks, know that it is not rare and realize that screening for it should be as important as cervical, prostate and other cancer exams that are becoming more common to us."

Grapevine dentists, Burgess & Mason Family Dentistry, among a growing number of other practices, use the new Identafi® 3000 ultra device to detect early indicators of oral cancer and pre-cancer that may be missed by the naked eye. The portable handheld device detects biochemical and morphological changes in the cells of the mouth, throat, tongue, and tonsils. The use of this new technology in conjunction with a conventional visual and tactile examination, as recommended by the American Dental Association, allows dentists to remain on the front lines of early detection of oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection can translate into a cure rate of greater than 80 percent.

Oral Cancer Facts(i):

• Often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth.
• Can affect any area of the oral cavity including the lips, gum tissue, check lining, tongue and the hard or soft palate.
• It has been established that the path that brings people to oral cancer may contain at least two distinct causes; one through tobacco and alcohol, and another via the human papilloma virus (HPV).(ii)
• Signs for early detection include:  A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal; a color change of the oral tissues; a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips; difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue.

"Dental practices have been screening for oral cancer for decades," said Jerry Burgess, D.D.S., who founded the practice in Grapevine, TX in 1971. "We continue to be on the forefront of technology to ensure that early signs of cancer and pre-cancerous conditions are identified, which greatly increases each patient's chance for survival."

To schedule a free oral cancer screening or learn more, visit www.burgessmasondental.com. For information about oral cancer, visit www.ada.org/2607.aspx.

(i)  Oral Health Topics: You Should Know; American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2607.aspx#top

(ii)  Oral Cancer Foundation: The HPV Connection. http://oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/

SOURCE Burgess & Mason Family Dentistry