....its important to know that.........

Each year, oral cancer claims as many lives as skin cancer (melanoma) and more than cervical cancer.

Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, tobacco chewing and drinking alcohol. However, a full 25 percent of cases have no risk factors at all.

Oral cancer is rising in women, those under age 40 and nonsmokers.

About 8,000 Americans die from oral cancer every year.

Annually, approximately 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer.

Oral cancer is among the ten most common cancers worldwide and in parts of Asia and Latin America, oral cancer is the most common cancer.

When oral cancer is detected early by your dentist, the chances of a complete cure are highest. When it is detected in its precancerous stage, oral cancer can be prevented.

When detected in its later stages, oral cancer is a devastating disease. Late stage treatment usually involves major facial surgery with only 50% of patients surviving longer than 5 years.

Oral spots ("sores"or "lesions") are extremely common. The vast majority are harmless, but some are potentially dangerous, and if not identified early, they may progress to a more advanced stage.

Many who survive oral cancer are severely disfigured and suffer a compromised life.