Detect Oral Cancer Early By Noticing These Four Symptoms

Our mouths are just as susceptible to cancer as the rest of our bodies. More than 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, and it will cause nearly 8,000 deaths. While this cancer is one of the more aggressive cancers, it can be treated with early detection. If you ever experience any of these four symptoms, please schedule an appointment to get it checked out.

• Reddish or white patches in the mouth
• A sore that bleeds easily and will not heal
• A lump or thickening skin on the inside of the mouth
• Chronic sore throat, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

If you notice any of these symptoms and they persist for at least two weeks, making an oral cancer screening appointment is extremely important. As with all cancers early detection is the key, Dr. Sedaros recommends examining your mouth monthly for symptoms. Many times oral cancer is only detected after it has metastasized to other parts of the body, making it very difficult to treat.

Do not ignore suspicious lumps or sores in your mouth; contact us so we can help.