Ten Minutes That Can Save Your Life

HOBOKEN, N.J. - April 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Ten Minutes That Could Save Your Life

Dr. Paul R. Calat, Board Certified Oral Surgeon of
Hoboken Oral Surgery to Offer Free Oral Cancer Screenings During Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®,

April 18th, 2013

Just because you can’t feel it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  Just ask the more than 100,000 Americans who were diagnosed with cancers of the head and neck (including thyroid) last year.  Unfortunately, many Americans do not recognize the symptoms of these life-threatening diseases, which include cancers of the oral cavity, thyroid, larynx and pharynx, and by the time they are diagnosed, for some, it’s too late.

Oral, head and neck cancers claim approximately 13,000 lives per year. However, there is hope; if diagnosed early, these cancers can be more easily treated without significant complications, and the chances of survival greatly increase.  

Who should get tested?

Every adult. Tobacco and alcohol users traditionally have been considered the populations at greatest risk for these cancers.  However, oral cancer cases are on the rise in younger adults who do not smoke, and recent research indicates this development is due partly to the increase of the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus, a cancer-causing infection that can be transmitted by oral sex.  HPV-related oral cancers are more difficult to detect because these cancers usually occur on the back of the tongue or on the tonsils, providing even more reason to get screened regularly.

What are the potential warning signs of oral cancers?

The signs and symptoms of oral cancer often go unnoticed.  However, there are a few visible signs associated with these cancers that require immediate attention, including:

A sore in your mouth that doesn't heal or that increases in size

Persistent pain in your mouth

Lumps or white or red patches inside your mouth

Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue

Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat

Changes in your voice

A lump in your neck

If you have any of the above warning signs, do not wait for the free screenings. Seek medical attention immediately.

How can I get screened locally?

Dr. Paul Calat at Hoboken Oral Surgery will offer free oral cancer screenings in observance of the 16th annual Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week® on April 18th, 2013 (by appointment). The screening is painless and only takes about 10 minutes. Visit www.hobokenoralsurgery.com to learn more about Dr. Calat and other services provided (wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, etc.)

Why should I get screened?
If the above statistics weren’t reason enough, know that the screening is quick, painless and free. Given the current state of the economy and rising health care costs, take advantage of the opportunity to benefit from this preventive health measure at no charge by taking 10 minutes to do something that could save your life. Early diagnosis and treatment improves outcomes and chances of survival, particularly for individuals with HPV-related oral cancers. Please contact us at (201) 659-6999 to sign up for your free oral cancer screening today.