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The American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a nationwide campaign urging dentists to examine patients for the early warning signs of oral cancer.
Current statistics point to an increased incidence of oral cancer among women: up from 15% to 33% of oral cancers diagnosed in the past 45 years. The increased prevalence of women smokers is an explanation for the rise. Also, cancer is an age-related disease, and in the United States there are 50% more women over age 64, compared with men in the same age group.Oral cancer among men also is on the rise.
The ADA recommends that individuals have regular dental visits. Dentists should perform routine, careful examinations of patients and test suspicious areas. If detected at its earliest stage, oral cancer is more easily treated and cured.