Beating Oral Cancer

Beating Oral Cancer

By Mina Levi, DDS, 02/19/2015

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%.

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%. The Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS article this week tells Eva Grayzel’s story with oral cancer.

You can find out more about Eva or see her speak by going to http://www.evagrayzel.com.

In 1998, at age 33, in the midst of a successful career in storytelling, Eva was diagnosed with advanced stage oral cancer and given a 15% chance of survival. A non-smoker, she had been bounced from dentist to doctor for more than two years. The ulcer on her tongue became larger and more painful. After diagnosis, she endured a partial tongue reconstruction, a modified radical neck dissection and a maximum dose of radiation therapy. After getting a second chance at life, she wanted to do whatever she could to raise awareness about this disease and prevent what happened to her from happening to others.

If you have questions about oral cancer or would like to get screened for oral cancer, visit Dentist San Francisco Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066. If you would like to see Eva Grayzel speak, visit her website at www.evagrayzal.com.

Topics: Dentist San Francisco, oral cancer, cancer, cancer screening, oral cancer screening, cancer test, oral cancer test, cancerous lesion, lesion, cancer lesion, cancer tongue lesion, tongue lesion, cancerous tongue lesion, oral cancer treatment, cancer treatment, oral cancer survival, cancer survival, survival rates, cancer survival rates, oral cancer survival rates

Source: www.evagrayzel.com