April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
In the Yampa Valley, where we pride ourselves on clean air, active living, and healthy habits, it’s easy to assume we’re immune to the diseases that affect less health-conscious corners of the world. But when it comes to oral cancer, that assumption can be deadly.
“People make the assumption that because they’re in good physical shape, eat clean, and drink in moderation, they’re somehow less likely to get oral cancer—or any cancer,” says Dr. Wendy McCreight of McCreight Progressive Dentistry. “It’s just not true.”
As local dentists and longtime members of the Steamboat medical community, Drs. Jim and Wendy McCreight have seen firsthand how oral cancer doesn’t always follow the rules. Their message is clear: oral cancer isn’t just about tobacco and heavy drinking anymore. And in a place like Steamboat, where many residents may feel their annual physical isn’t necessary every year because of their healthy habits, their dentist might be the healthcare provider that finds these issues first.
The Changing Face of Risk
Historically, oral cancer was most often associated with lifelong smokers or heavy drinkers. But that narrative is shifting fast—and the McCreights are on the front lines of that change.
“We’ve seen patients with aggressive oral cancer who don’t smoke, don’t drink heavily, and live incredibly healthy lives,” says Dr. Jim McCreight. “It’s scary, and it’s under the radar. A lot of people don’t even realize they’re at risk.”
One such patient was a local woman in her late 40s. Active. Healthy. No history of smoking or chewing tobacco. “She had a sore on her tongue she’d been watching for a few weeks,” recalls Dr. Wendy. “She thought maybe it was just from her dental tray. But when she finally came in, I took one look and knew—we had to act immediately.” A biopsy confirmed aggressive tongue cancer. The patient underwent surgery and radiation, resulting in the loss of half her tongue.
She tested negative for HPV. No known risk factors. Just bad luck—or maybe something more elusive.
“We’re being exposed to environmental toxins and forever chemicals that we don’t even realize,” Wendy says. “It’s changing the game. And it’s affecting people who would otherwise seem extremely low-risk.”
In fact, one of the fastest-growing groups diagnosed with oral cancer comprises young, healthy, non-smoking individuals.
More Than Just Tobacco
Both McCreights agree: we need to start talking about the new, modern contributors to oral cancer. And the list is growing.
“Chronic cannabis use—especially edibles like gummies—can leave behind sticky residues that sit on your tissue and teeth,” says Wendy. “We don’t really know what’s in them, especially when they’re not regulated. You’re bathing your soft tissue in unknown compounds.”
And then there are the Zyn pouches.
“They’re marketed as clean alternatives to smoking, but they’re full of nicotine—and often caffeine,” she adds. “When you’re chronically exposing your soft tissue to stimulants like that, you’re going to have cell changes. There’s no way around it.”
Chronic UV exposure, HPV, sexual promiscuity, poor nutrition, and inflammation from poor overall health—these are the new frontiers of oral cancer risk. “Your mouth is the portal to your body,” says Wendy. “If you put garbage in, it’s going to show up eventually.”
The Mouth as a Warning Light
The McCreights describe the mouth as the body’s “check engine light.” Often, it’s where serious systemic conditions first reveal themselves—if you know where to look.
“A sore that doesn’t go away after 7 to 14 days, a lesion that feels different, a spot on the lip that just lingers—those are red flags,” says Jim. “Dentists are often the first to see them.”
At McCreight Progressive Dentistry, every exam includes an intraoral and extraoral cancer screening. “It’s part of the culture here,” says Jim. “We look beyond the teeth. Sometimes it’s something on the face or lip that we recommend having checked by a dermatologist. That’s the value of having someone really looking out for your whole health—not just your smile.”
Wendy adds, “If I see something unusual, I’ll take a photo, measure it, and schedule a follow-up in 7 days. We want to make sure it’s changed—or hasn’t. If it’s still there, we dig deeper.”
Inflammation is another red flag that shouldn’t be ignored. “Chronic inflammation in the mouth—whether from gum disease, poor oral hygiene, or systemic health issues—can play a big role in the development of oral cancer,” says Jim. “It’s a silent contributor, and it’s something we’re always evaluating.”
A Local Story, A Universal Message
Steamboat is a community that watches out for its own. But the McCreights stress that protecting our health starts with awareness—and sometimes, a little persistence.
Jim recalls a patient who initially brushed off a small lesion on her lip. “She probably thought I was overreacting, but I kept bringing it up. Eventually she got it biopsied. It turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma. The scary kind. She later thanked me for not letting it go.”
These stories aren’t shared to scare. They’re shared to educate—and to empower.
What You Can Do
If there’s one thing Dr. Wendy McCreight wishes everyone in the Yampa Valley would do, it’s this: learn how to do a self-check for oral cancer. “It takes five seconds,” she says. “Just like breast health checks, we should be teaching people to look and feel inside their mouths.”
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month—making now the perfect time to start that habit.
Regular dental care is key—but so is knowing what to watch for between visits. “And don’t put on over-the-counter pain gels before seeing a provider,” she adds. “They’re not always good for your mouth, and beyond that, the pain you are feeling is an indicator that something’s wrong.” Any time you feel pain in your mouth, it is advised to see a dentist or healthcare provider to ensure it’s not a sign of something more serious.
The good news? Early detection dramatically improves survival rates. When caught early, the five-year relative survival rate for oral cancer is approximately 80% to 90%. Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment options are more limited and outcomes are poorer.
The McCreights hope their proactive approach inspires patients to ask questions, stay curious, and never ignore what their body is trying to tell them. Especially when it starts in the mouth.
McCreight Progressive Dentistry: Steamboat Locals’ Trusted Experts
Drs. Jim and Wendy McCreight are known throughout the Yampa Valley not only for their advanced care and cutting-edge technology, but for the deep relationships they build with their patients. For them, dentistry is about whole-body health—and their practice reflects that philosophy. To schedule an oral cancer screening or to learn more, visit www.steamboatdentistry.com.