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.
Reduce 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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