Did you know that nearly 35,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year and that the number of cases is rising? Sadly, the majority of these cases will be discovered after the cancer has spread to other areas of the body making treatment more difficult.

Oral cancer can be effectively treated if warning signs are caught early. However, oral cancer does not get the publicity that other cancers do, unless someone famous is diagnosed. Michael Douglas is using his celebrity to educate and has done public service announcements about oral cancer. As an oral cancer survivor he knows how important screening and early detection can be.

Oral cancer screening is part of every dental check-up but many people don’t realize it.  Here is why this is important: Oral cancer can affect many areas in and around your mouth, including your throat and sinuses. Of the estimated 35,000 diagnosed with oral cancer annually, only about 50% will survive five years. This depressing statistic is largely due to the fact that  patients do not know what to look for, and because oral cancer is typically painless in its earliest stages.

So what do you need to look for in your mouth in between visits to the dentist?

• Red and/or white discolorations of the soft tissue in your mouth;
• A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth or neck;
• Difficulty swallowing; Numbness in or around the mouth;
• Ear pain that you only feel on one side;
• The feeling that something is stuck in your throat;
• Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue

If oral cancer is caught early the survival rates sky rocket to 80-90%. Your regular dental checkup can not only help keep your smile healthy but it can also save your life. Don’t delay, please contact Dr. Mark Levy in Columbus, OH at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your next dental examination including an oral cancer screening.