ORAL CANCER
Early Detection Saves Lives
It’s important to find oral cancer Early – before it has time to spread. The survival rate is much better or those whose cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
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- A white or red patch in the mouth
- A sore, irritation, lump, or thickening in the mouth
- Hoarseness, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.
See Your dentist or physician if any of the above symptoms last for more than two weeks.
LOWER YOUR RISK
- Do not use tobacco products – cigarettes, chew or snuff, pipes, or cigars.
- If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (research suggests this might lower the risk of oral cancer)
HAVE AN EXAM
A head and neck exam should be a routine part of your dental visit. Ask your dentist or physician to do the exam at least once a year.