|
Head and neck cancers account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States (1). Symptoms can include sores in the mouth that won’t go away, lumps in the mouth, bleeding gums, swelling in the jaw or trouble chewing and swallowing when eating.
A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of getting this type of cancer. People who smoke, vape, drink alcohol, have unprotected sex or who eat a lot of salty snacks are most at risk. Cancer found in the mouth or throat are often curable if found early enough. It’s important to visit your dentist regularly as it’s an effective way to discover these types of cancers early. Your dentist can look for any signs of cancer in your mouth during a checkup.
In the meantime, be sure to brush and floss daily and eat healthy to limit your risk. If you spot any unusual changes in your mouth or are experiencing pain or any of the symptoms listed above, don’t wait until your next dental checkup. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today.
April is National Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. Help us spread the word..
1 NIH / National Cancer Institute: Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2021. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2021; 71(1):7–33.
| 
