IT’S SURPRISING THAT ORAL CANCER DOESN’T GET the attention that other types of cancer seem to get. The numbers for oral cancer are significant. In the United States alone, over 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year. And while early detection boosts the survival rate to 80–90%, many times the diagnoses doesn’t happen until the cancer has progressed too far.
So, why does oral cancer so often go undetected? One of the reasons is because many of the symptoms are not painful, causing them to go unnoticed by people. Unfortunately, detecting oral cancer in its later stages significantly lowers survival rates.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should have Dr. Jared or Daniel Theurer take a look:
- A sore inside your mouth that doesn’t heal for two weeks
- A lump or thickening of your cheek
- A white or red patch on any part of your inner mouth or throat
- Chronic difficulty swallowing or chewing
- Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
- Numbness inside your mouth
- Jaw swelling
Although there may be other causes for these symptoms, having them checked by us will provide peace of mind in knowing the cause.
And of course, it goes without saying—the best offense is a great defense… That is, keep those regularly scheduled cleaning appointments and screenings. Doing so greatly increases the liklihood that any problems will be detected early. You may not feel or notice anything wrong, but that’s exactly what Dr. Daniel and Dr. Jared are trained for.
As your trusted, lifelong oral health partner, we want to keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible. Let us know if you have any other questions about oral cancer or any of the symptoms mentioned above. And share this information with someone you know by clicking on one of the links below. Staying informed helps us all stay healthier.
