Did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month? At Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood dental office, we help patients with oral health issues relating to soft tissues as well as their teeth. Because this disease is so dangerous, we want to make sure our patients understand what to watch out for and how our office can help them.
Cancers in the oral cavity are commonly associated with smoking and drinking alcohol. In the back of the mouth and top of the throat, or oropharynx, cancers are often caused by a particular strain of HPV. Only 60% of people survive for 5 years after being diagnosed with oral cancer, but a major factor in that is that it is often not discovered until it is in an advanced stage. Patients should get examined if they notice discoloration in their mouths, have difficulty swallowing, are able to feel a persistent lump, or feel pain or numbness. Dr. Bradley also conducts oral cancer screenings as part of patients’ regular checkups. A referral for a biopsy will be ordered if something suspicious is found, and the results will determine whether a patient needs further treatment.
Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit Lis Bradley or call 615-778-0810.
No comments:
Post a Comment