Golden Valley Dentist Raises Head and Neck Cancer Awareness
A dentist in Golden Valley is urging people to be screened for head and neck cancer.
“Everyone should be screened because it’s not only those people that are in those risk categories, it really can happen to anyone,” said Dr. Brian Evensen of Valley Dental Group.
On Thursday, dozens of people made their way to Valley Dental Group for a free oral cancer screening.
The event was part of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, where doctors examine a patient’s head, neck, ears, nose, skin and the inside of their mouth.
Dr. Brian Evensen of Valley Dental Group performs an oral cancer screening on a patient during Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week.
Experts say head and neck cancer is the sixth most prevalent cancer in the United States. Smokers and drinkers used to be the most at-risk, but now doctors encourage anyone above the age of 16 to be screened.
“If there’s a way to screen for this kind of cancer in this method, it’s not invasive, it’s very easy, it doesn’t take very long, it’s just very worthwhile,” said Dr. Evensen.
If you couldn’t make it to one of the screenings this week, experts recommend staying up to date on your dental visits, because dentists can detect symptoms of oral cancer that may require further attention.
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