Risk Factors
Like many cancers, early detection of oral cancer is
crucial. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer
hasn’t improved in the last 40 years. It remains
a dismal 57 percent because the disease is often difficult
to detect. However, if detected early, the survival
rate dramatically increases to 81 percent and can actually
be prevented if found in its precancerous stage.
Studies show that approximately 75 percent of people
diagnosed with oral cancer have the following risk factors:
-
Smoking
-
Tobacco chewing
-
Drinking alcohol
Approximately 25 percent of people diagnosed with oral
cancer have no risk factors at all. Even more alarming,
studies show oral cancer is increasing in women, individuals
under age 40 and nonsmokers. Visiting the dentist on
a regular basis is crucial to the early detection and
prevention of oral cancer.
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