Risk Factors
Like many cancers, early detection of oral cancer is
crucial. The five-year survival rate for oral cancer
hasn’t improved in the last 40 years. It remains
a dismal 57 percent because the disease is often difficult
to detect. However, if detected early, the survival
rate dramatically increases to 81 percent and can actually
be prevented if found in its precancerous stage.
How Can I Reduce the Risk of
Oral Cancer in the Work Place?
Studies show that approximately 75 percent of people
diagnosed with oral cancer have risk factors. To lower
the risk of oral cancer in the work place, encourage
your employees’ to avoid the following risk behaviors:
-
Smoking
-
Tobacco chewing
-
Drinking alcohol
What If Those Risk Behaviors
Don’t Apply to My Employees?
Approximately 25 percent of people diagnosed with
oral cancer have no risk factors at all. Even more alarming,
studies show oral cancer is increasing in women, individuals
under age 40 and nonsmokers. Encourage your employees
to visit the dentist on a regular basis to help increase
the chance of early detection and prevention.
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