Oral cancer detection

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Statistics on the increasing incidence and poor prognosis of oral cancer underscore the need for earlier detection and treatment. Dentists routinely do an oral examination for cancer in their patients, but many persons at risk for oral cancer visit their dentist far less frequently than they see their physician. Thus, as Drs Chiodo, Eigner, and Rosenstein point out, if primary care physicians joined in routinely screening for oral cancer, long-term survival rates would undoubtedly improve. As one reviewer concluded, “We look at sore throats every day—this article helps remind us that taking a few extra minutes to do a thorough oral examination could benefit the patient.”