April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Always April is a national partnership of oral surgery practices across the country that strives to bring oral cancer awareness into a year-round discussion.
At Northlake Oral & Facial Surgery, we look for signs of oral cancer during every patient exam. It was our pleasure to host a complimentary screening event earlier this year for our community as we continue to spread awareness of the importance of regular oral cancer screenings.
The earlier oral cancer is detected and treated, the better the outcome.
By the numbers…
-
54,010–The estimated number of people diagnosed
with oral cancer in 2021 -
10,850–The estimated number of deaths from oral
cancer in 2021 -
49–Oral cancer kills one person every 49 minutes in
the United States -
10–One person is diagnosed with oral cancer every
10 minutes in the United States -
81–When detected early, the 5-year survival rate
for oral cancer is about 81% -
25–At least 25% of oral cancer victims have no
known risk factors
What to expect during an oral cancer screening:
There is no need to do anything to prepare for a standard oral cancer screening. During the screening, an oral care specialist will look over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. They will also feel the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities, and may examine your throat and neck for lumps.