Facts About Oral Cancer

Did you know?

Nearly 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%).

• The mortality rate for oral cancer 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, testicular cancer, and skin cancer.

• Worldwide, oral cancer rates are even higher, with over 640,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

• Historically, the death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because it is difficult to diagnose, but because the cancer is routinely discovered late in its development, when it has already metastasized to other areas of the body, often the lymph nodes.

Early diagnosis is the key to positive outcomes after a diagnosis of oral cancer. We routinely screen ALL adult patients for oral cancer during regularly-scheduled checkups using advanced diagnostic tools. If you haven't been seen in the last six months for a hygiene appointment, call us today to make an appointment at 734-677-2156 and a screening will be completed at that time.