Oral Cancer affects 30,000 per year in the United States, and about 10,000 per year die from oral cancer. This can - and must - change: oral cancer can be easily detected at very early stages, even pre-cancer stages, allowing safe and effective treatment and cure. When it is diagnosed at a late stage, survival goes down dramatically, and the side effects of treatment go up.

90% of EARLY oral cancer patients survive, and less than 25% of late oral cancer patients survive. EARLY DETECTION is the KEY.

Most oral cancers begin as a benign appearing red or white spot, and other times an ulcer. If you receive an oral examination at least once per year, you will improve your odds for early detection. If you have risk factors for oral cancer such as prolonged tobacco and / or alcohol use, then you should be seen more often.

Early detection is the KEY to effective treatment and long-term survival. See a qualified oral medicine expert if you have ANY concern you might have oral pre-cancer or cancer.

Dr. Sirois is a recognized authority on early detection of oral cancer, and a researcher funded by the National Institutes of Health as Principal Investigator on major studies to examine the best strategies and technologies to use in early oral cancer detection.

Dr. Sirois is a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral Medicine and a recognized authority in the diagnosis and treatment of oral mucosal diseases, including oral cancer. If you suffer from oral soft tissue problems such as an ulceration, lump, bump, colored spot or anything else you may be suspicious of, arrange a consultation to get the best advice.

For more information about ORAL CANCER, visit the oral cancer foundation at: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org

For more information on this and other oral medicine problems, visit the American Academy of Oral Medicine web site at http://www.aaom.com, and click on "patient information".