(NAPSA)—Nurse Sandy Wexler wentto her dentist in 2012 for a routine teeth cleaning. During the exam, her dentist took a momentto feel the sides of herface, jaw and neck, looking for signs of oropharyngeal cancer—a type of cancerthat occursat the back of the mouth ortop ofthe throat. Her dentist noticed an enlarged lymph node on the right side of Wexler’s neck and sent Sandyto see her physician. It was metastatic squamouscell oro- Yourdentist may bethefirst to spot serious medical problems, such as After weeks of radiation and chemotherapy at The University of Texas MD American Dental Association has part- pharyngeal cancer. Anderson Cancer Center, Wexler was cancer-free, But had she not seen the dentist when she did, Wexler might not be alive today. “T credit [my dentist] with saving my life because otherwiseit could have been six more monthsbeforethis could have been diagnosed and found,’shesaid. cancer, while they'reeasiestto treat. nered with MD Andersonin an effort to improve public and professional education about the HPV vaccine and HPV-related cancers. HPV vaccination was first dis- casesoforal cancer and oropharyngeal cussed for its benefit in preventing cervical cancer in women, but there are other HPV-related cancers, including thoseat the back of the throat and the top of the mouth. The HPVvaccine can preventinfection with those strains deaths from them. The U.S. Centersfor oropharyngeal cancer cases. Because ‘The American Cancer Society esti- mates that there will be 51,540 new cancer diagnosed this year and 10,030 Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted that oropharyngealcanceris ontherise. Asdoctors oforal health, dentists see the mouthasa windowto overall health and, as in Wexler’ case, can identify clues suggesting cancer. ‘This means more and more dentists are talking with patients about health issues that mightatfirst pass seem unrelated butcan actually affect oral health. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vacci- nation is one such topic. In fact, the of HPV responsible for 60 percent of ofthis, consistent with the recommendation of the CDC, many dentists are now recommending both their male andfemale adolescentpatients get the vaccine. At your next dental appointment, don’t be surprisedifyour dentist checks for signsoforal and oropharyngeal can- cer andtalks to you aboutthe benefits of the HPVvaccine. HPV vaccination can prevent cancers; a thorough exam for signs of oral and oropharyngealcancers could save your life.
