Oral Exams

In a recent study, when dentists and other health-care workers visually examined patients for signs of oral cancer, they uncovered numerous otherwise hidden cases, reducing risk for death by 79% compared with an unscreened control group. Researchers estimate that regular screening of the oral cavity by visual inspection once every three years could prevent at least 37,000 oral cancer deaths annually.

Self-defense: Make sure your dentist or general practitioner carefully examines the inside of your mouth at least once every three years.