Oral Cancer Screening Sat., April 21 April 16, 2007 Catawba Valley Medical Center, Graystone ENT Offer Oral Cancer Screening Saturday, April 21

Oral cancers are often detected by the dentist during a patient’s routine dental exam. When cancer is suspected, the dentist generally refers the patient to a doctor specializing in ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions. Unfortunately, many people do not receive regular dental care. For this reason, Catawba Valley Medical Center is partnering with Graystone Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, PA, to provide a free oral cancer screening for individuals who do not receive regular dental care and have risk factors. On Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, CVMC’s The Health First Center at Valley Hills Malls will be the site of the free oral cancer screening. Although the screening is free, appointments are required by calling the Health First Center at 828-485-2300. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 22,560 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and an estimated 5,370 people will die with this disease this year. Oral cancer is cancer that starts in the mouth, which is also called the oral cavity. The oral cavity includes the lips, the inside lining of the cheeks, the teeth, the gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the bony roof of the mouth and the area behind the wisdom teeth. Oral cancer is more common in men than women and more common is African-Americans than Caucasians. Although most oral cancers occur in older adults, one-third occurs in people under the age of 55. Teens who start using chewing adult at a young age are known to develop oral cancer. About 90% of people with oral cancer have used tobacco. Smokers are 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer than nonsmokers are. Smokeless tobacco (“snuff” or chewing tobacco) increases the risk by about 50 times. Other risk factors includes: Regular use of alcohol Long-term irritation of the mouth caused by poorly fitting dentures Use of immunosuppressive drugs Ear pain, cough or hoarseness that has persisted for two weeks or longer A sore or swelling of the mouth or tongue that does not go away White patches of the mouth or tongue that do not go away “This is a great opportunity for people with risk factors and who do not see a dentist regularly to have their mouths checked,” states Peggy Messick, RN, BSN, OCN, Cancer Resource Nurse. “Like most cancers, early detection improves survival rate. It can also decrease the extent of the treatment needed.” The Health First Center at Valley Hills Mall is a service of Catawba Valley Medical Center, a not-for-profit healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public. The Center, located on the lower level of the Mall beside Belk, serves as a convenient location for health education and wellness services. CVMC, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.