Your dentist can screen for precancerous changes in the oral tissues. This early detection of oral cancer can result in successful treatment. Even better, oral cancer can be prevented if found and treated at the precancerous stage. About 25 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer - the sixth most common cancer in the U.S. - have none of the traditional risk factors associated with the disease, such as the use of tobacco products or drinking alcohol.
Dentists can now use a new tool to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages. The brush biopsy allows the dentist to scrape cells from the tissue and send them to the lab for analysis. This simple screening device represents a breakthrough in the fight against cancer. It is expected to aid in the early diagnosis of the disease, and improve the survival rates for those who develop oral cancer.
