Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that dental examinations can help protect you from cancer? We at Redwood Dental Smiles in Castro Valley are observing National Oral Cancer Awareness Month by educating the public on which symptoms to look out for and how dentists are on the front lines of detecting this deadly disease. Oral cancer is a serious menace when it is not caught in time. Only about 60% of people who are diagnosed with it live longer than five years, and a little less than 50,000 Americans get diagnosed with it each year. Typically, oral cancer is associated with the use of tobacco and alcohol and is found in middle-aged people. However, cancer in the top of the throat, in a region called the oropharynx, is becoming increasingly common due to HPV and is showing up more in younger people. During a dental examination, a doctor will inspect the patient’s mouth for common symptoms such as discoloration and cysts or areas that are crusted over. They may also shine a special light in the patient’s mouth...