Treating Patients With Cancer

By Sarah Yoon, RDH, BA, Lisa B. Stefanou, RDH, MPH

In the United States, heart disease remains the number one cause of death, but the percentage of deaths caused by cancer has been rising—from 19.2% in 1975 to 23.3% in 2010.¹ According to data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 10.8% of primary cancer sites were detected in the oral cavity and pharyngeal area between 1975 and 2010.¹ The treatment of this relatively small subcategory of cancers, however, has a disproportionate impact on patients’ quality of life.^2,3 As key members of the interprofessional cancer treatment team, dental hygienists can assist patients with head and neck cancer manage the oral side effects of treatment, which can be devastating, as well as educate them on effective self-care strategies.

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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