Due to COVID-19, Oral Cancer screenings will not be happening this year. 

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Fast Oral Cancer Facts:

• Over 53,000 new cases of oral or oropharyngeal cancer projected for 2021
  HPV vaccine decreases the risk!
  Early detection is important. The overall 5-year survival rate is 66.2%

• The annual death rate is 10,750 (projected 2020)
  Oral and oropharyngeal cancer account for 2.9% of cancers each year in the U.S

• Risk factors are: HPV, smoking, alcohol, smokeless tobacco, male gender, age

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How do you self screen?

• Dentists have extensive training and experience in screening patients for oral cancer.

• Self screening for oral cancer is very challenging because without the appropriate lighting and tools, the back of your tongue and roof of your mouth are hard to see.

• When performing this screening, look carefully for any unusual areas, red and white areas, bumps, ulcers, or dark spots (like a mole).

• Your tongue may feel fatter or there is a lump on the tongue

• You may experience difficulty swallowing or feel a lump in or around your neck IF YOU FEEL OR SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL, GIVE YOUR DENTIST A CALL!