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Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Article Banner_opt.jpg

Oral, head and neck cancers consist of many different cancer types. More than twice as many men than women are diagnosed with an oral, head or neck cancer, most often at age 50 or older (National Cancer Institute). See below for a list of ways to lower your risk and for a list of common symptoms associated with oral, head and neck cancers.

No Indoor Tanning_opt.jpgReduce Your Risk

  • Avoid tobacco.

  • Limit alcohol intake.

  • Get your dental checkups regularly.

  • Get the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines.

    • HPV is a sexually transmitted virus estimated to be the cause of 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancers in the nation (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention). HPV vaccines provide significant protection against two high-risk HPVs that can cause head and neck cancer. It is recommended that children aged 11 to 12 should start the vaccine series, but those aged 9 to 26 can as well.

  • Avoid indoor tanning.

Symptoms

  • Bleeding in or from the nose and/or the mouth

  • Blocked sinuses

  • Blood in phlegm

  • Chronic sinus infections not cleared by antibiotics

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Headaches and/or pain in the face, neck, mouth, chin, throat, ears and/or upper teeth

  • Hearing loss

  • Loose teeth

  • Lumps or growths in the head, neck and/or mouth

  • Painful swallowing

  • Red or white patches in the mouth

  • Ringing in one or both ears

  • Skin changes that could be associated with skin cancer

  • Sore that doesn’t heal

  • Swelling of the jaw, chin and/or eyes

  • Vocal changes

Around 550 thousand oral, head and neck cancers are diagnosed every year worldwide (The Oncologist). Click here to learn more about these cancer types. 

April is Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month.

 

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