{"id":303,"date":"2023-04-22T15:10:36","date_gmt":"2023-04-22T15:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stalbansdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=303"},"modified":"2023-05-16T15:16:30","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T15:16:30","slug":"april-is-oral-cancer-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stalbansdentistry.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/22\/april-is-oral-cancer-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Oral Cancer Awareness: Things to Know to Protect Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oral cancer is a dangerous disease that causes one death every hour on average, but compared to other forms of cancer it doesn’t get discussed as often. That’s why, as part of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April, your dentist<\/a> recommends learning more about this life-threatening health issue. Below is a summary of common symptoms and risk factors of oral cancer as well as why it’s best to have it detected as early as possible.<\/p>

Symptoms That Point to Oral Cancer<\/h2>

First of all, it’s important to note that there are two major types of oral cancers: those of the oral cavity (meaning the inside of your mouth) and those of the oropharynx (meaning the middle part of your throat). The symptoms associated with your oral cancer can vary depending on where it’s located.<\/p>

Warning signs of cancers of the oral cavity include mouth sores that don’t heal, discolored soft tissues, unusual lumps or hard spots, areas that bleed easily when touched, and odd growths.<\/p>

Meanwhile, common symptoms of cancers of the oropharynx include hoarseness, a persistent sore throat, a swollen tonsil on one side, a lump that you can feel on the outside of your neck, having a hard time swallowing, and one-sided earaches.<\/p>

If you experience any of the symptoms above and notice that they don’t subside after two weeks, it’s recommended that you call your dentist immediately.<\/p>

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer<\/h2>

Certain groups of people are more likely to develop oral cancer than others, such as:<\/p>