London Drugs offering 15 oral cancer screening clinics

Starting Monday, London Drugs is offering oral cancer screening clinics until May 18 at 15 locations in Metro Vancouver.

This comes after a trial at three stores had great success early last year. The program quickly grew to 12 clinics.

Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world; approximately three people die of oral cancer in Canada every day.

John Tse, vice president pharmacy of London Drugs, said the program grew very quickly.

“There is clearly demand for the oral screening and continued need for awareness of oral cancer and oral cancer prevention,” he said in a statement.

He says early and affordable access to screening is a major step towards early detection.

“London Drugs’ clinics bring incredible awareness to oral cancer screening and the importance of early detection,” said Dr. Ken Neuman, one of the doctors conducting the screenings.

“The best way to monitor your oral health is to work with your dental care provider either at the dental office or at a screening clinic such as the one offered at London Drugs. This program is especially popular among individuals who might not regularly visit a dentist.”

And smokers are not the only ones who need to be vigilant, the risk of oral cancer also increases through direct contact with carcinogenic chemicals, such as chewing tobacco products.

The screening consists of a head and neck exam and an intra-oral assessment to detect any tissue abnormalities.

The clinic appointment costs $25, out of which $5 are donated to the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program.