April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month – Time for a Dental Checkup!
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month when dental professionals join with other medical professionals to focus on the dangers of oral cancer. Early detection in any disease is the best way to lower the risks. As a patient in charge of your own health, commit to make early detection and prevention of oral cancer a priority in your life. Every hour of every day, someone dies of oral cancer, yet if oral cancer is detected and treated early, survival rates may increase.
What is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth and your dentist is the first line of defense for oral cancer. Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS, does an oral cancer screening at each dental check-up, but be sure to discuss concerns you have regarding your oral health with her.
What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
As is the case with any cancer or disease, early detection is the key to survival. Regular check-ups with Dr. Evanson, will alert her to any visible changes in your mouth. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Evanson right away.
- Numbness in your mouth or on your tongue.
- A sore, bump or irritation on your lip, in your mouth, or throat.
- A red or white spot in your mouth, especially inside the cheek.
- Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue, or difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Pain in one of your ears, along with hearing loss.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
Medical professionals are constantly doing research to understand the origins of oral cancer. Most oral cancer victims are aged 40 and over, but according to the Mayo Clinic, there are behaviors that put you at greater risk of contracting oral cancer:
- Tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, causes cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
- Alcohol and tobacco together, increases your risk of contracting oral cancer.
- Sun exposure increases the risk for lip cancer.
- If you’re not eating enough vegetables and fruits your risk of contracting oral cancer increases.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)—HPV 16, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), is the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer.
How to Prevent Oral Cancer?
You can lower your risks of developing oral cancer in the following ways:
- Quit using tobacco in every form, smoking, chewing, and smokeless tobacco.
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, and don’t combine alcohol consumption with tobacco.
- Make sure to protect your lips from excessive exposure to the sun and use sunscreen and lip balm that has Sun Protection Formula (SPF).
- Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of natural foods, with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Bolster your immune system by exercising on a regular basis.
- Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss before bedtime.
- Have routine dental check-ups with Dr. Evanson. Call (720) 409-0008 or contact us online for an appointment.
Oral Cancer Death Rate
The death rate from oral cancer is high. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, this is because so many cases go undiagnosed early enough to treat the disease. Estimates for oral cancer this year have climbed over the statistics from last year.
- About 54,540 new cases of oral cavity cancer
- About 11,580 deaths from oral cavity cancer
Make Oral Cancer Awareness a Priority
No cancer is minor. The emotional and physical aspects of battling cancer can be devastating. Early detection is the absolute best way to lower the risk of oral cancer. Make detection and prevention of oral cancer a priority in your life during the month of April and every day.
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