April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and our office is proud to offer free oral cancer screenings to all of our patients.

Almost 50,000 people this year will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer and is as twice as common in men than women. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, “While smoking and tobacco use are still major risk factors, the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.”

Oral Cancer is very preventable and treatable if caught early. Here’s what you can do:

1) Get screened — your dentist is qualified to detect oral cancer.

2) Avoid tobacco and tobacco products

3) Practice safety in the sun – wear protective sunscreen and clothing (sunglasses, hat) and limit sun exposure.

4) Use a lip balm with SPF of 30 or higher

5) Eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables

Source