Great Turnout for Free Oral Cancer Screening
Close to 49,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral oropharyngeal cancer this year. It will cause over 9,750 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 49,750 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. (Approximately 57%) This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. While historically the majority of people are over the age of 40 at the time of discovery, it is now occurring more frequently in those under this age. Exact causes for those affected at a younger age are now becoming clearer in peer reviewed research, revealing a viral etiology (cause), the human papilloma virus number 16 (www.oralcancerfoundation.org).
Early detection is a key factor in diagnosing and treating this often fatal disease. The Coastal Component of the NC Dental Hygiene Association would like to thank The Gym/Cape Carteret Aquatic and Wellness Center for serving as the site last weekend for a free, public, oral cancer screening event.
Stay tuned to our blog for announcements of upcoming events we hold. We want our community to be healthy!