April 25, 2016

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and there is no better time than now to familiarize yourself with the symptoms. It is a somewhat common cancer that affects more than 450,000 people every year. As with most cancers, early detection is key. Those who recognize the disease early can get diagnosed and treated more quickly, often leading to a better outcome.

 

Signs and Symptoms

Many people with oral cancer will notice sores in their mouth that do not go away after a couple of weeks. They may have white or red patches inside the mouth, as well as unexplained oral bleeding. Oral cancer can cause strange sensations in your mouth, including the following:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Unexplained facial, ear, or mouth pain
  • Feeling like something is stuck in your throat

It can also be difficult to swallow, speak, or move your jaw. Because of this, you may have trouble eating, which may make you lose weight rapidly. Just because you have some of these symptoms does not mean you have oral cancer. However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.

 

Risk Factors

Men over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of getting oral cancer. The risk is multiplied if you are a tobacco user of any kind. In addition, those who drink heavily are more likely to develop the disease. Those with a family history should also be on alert and look out for the symptoms, as should those who have been diagnosed with certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV).

 

Call Us Now

Cancer is not something you want to ignore. If you have any oral cancer symptoms in Westchester, CA, please do not hesitate to call Dr. Glenn Sperbeck today.

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