Share of Cost – The Increase Risk of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer, which includes lip, oral cavity, and pharynx cancer, is a particular concern for persons 65 years of age and older, because they are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than persons under age 65.
In 1997, 4,775 people 65 years and older died as a result of oral cancer. More older adults died from oral cancer than from skin cancer (3,978)
As with other cancers, survival improves when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage rather than at a later, more advanced stage. Because patients with an early stage of oral cancer rarely have pain or other symptoms, detecting an early oral cancer is primarily dependent upon the clinician providing a comprehensive oral cancer examination.