Actor Michael Douglas has recently helped create a television public service announcement on behalf of the Oral Cancer Foundation.
After experiencing a sore throat that persisted for a protracted period of time, Douglas was found to have a tumor on the base of his tongue. He received radiation and chemotherapy treatment and is now cancer-free.
The Oral Cancer Foundation hopes this public service announcement will help educate the public about the need for annual screenings to catch oral cancer early in order to increase chances of beating it. For oral cancer screenings in your area, contact your dentist or periodontist. If you are searching for a periodontist in the Detroit area, please contact Michigan periodontists and dental implant experts, Dr. Joe Nemeth and Dr. Amar Katranji at 248-357-3100.
The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that do not heal within 2 weeks
- A feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
- Chronic sore throat
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Lumps or bumps on the lips, gums, or other areas of the mouth
- Ear Pain
It is estimated that about 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Factors such as smoking, using smokeless tobacco, consuming excessive amount of alcohol, a family history of cancer, and excessive sun exposure all put people at risk for developing oral cancer. Also more recently, HPV has been identified as putting people at risk for developing oral cancer.
Watch Detroit Periodontist, Dr. Joseph Nemeth talk about HPV by following the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlWl_7JzLQA
Your health matters to us. If you have any questions concerning this post, call us at (248) 357-3100 today. We’re always happy to hear from our awesome patients!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.