Source: North New Jersey.com
The Clifton Health Department is offering a free oral cancer screening on Wednesday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, at its office, 900 Clifton Ave., second floor for residents of Clifton and Little Falls.
Dr. Kenith Nevard, DDS will be conducting the screening and will be seeing patients by appointment only. Call the Health Department at 973-470-5776 to make your appointment. An examination of the lips, gums, mouth, and throat for sores, lumps, and other early warning signs of cancer will be completed during this screening. All participants much be 18 years of age of older.
Oral cancer is a cancer that affects the lips, tongue, mouth and throat. It is approximately twice as common in men as in women and the likelihood of developing oral cancer increases with age. Oral cancer will be diagnosed in an estimated 35,000 Americans this year and will cause approximately 6,800 deaths.
Possible signs and symptoms for oral cancer include a sore that doesn’t heal, a lump or thickening of the skin or lining of your mouth, a white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth, loose teeth, poorly fitting dentures, tongue pain, jaw pain or stiffness, difficult or painful chewing, difficult or painful swallowing, sore throat, feeling that something is caught in your throat, weight loss, or constant bad breath.
Although the majority of oral cancers occur in persons 62 years of age and older, an increasing number of persons are being diagnosed with the disease. In its earliest, most treatable stages, oral cancer may be painless and go unnoticed. An oral cancer exam can help detect oral cancer in its earliest stages when treatment will be most effective.
The exam is painless and takes only a few minutes. Everyone who has ever used tobacco and/or alcohol or anyone 20 years of age and older should be screened.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early detection is needed to increase the survival rate for oral cancer and it plays a significant role in patients’ success in fighting the disease.
You should have the soft tissue of the mouth examined once a year. Many oral cancers are discovered by routine dental examination. Other tips for improved mouth health are: minimize or avoid smoking or other tobacco use, minimize or avoid alcohol use, practice good oral hygiene, and have dental problems corrected.