Tampa Family Health Centers Stresses Oral Cancer Screenings

Tampa Family Health Centers (TFHC) is joining The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) in stressing the importance of oral cancer screenings during Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April. More than 48,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the U.S., and it kills one person every hour of each day, according to OCF. The good news is oral cancer often can be found early in its development. TFHC treats 4,500 patients per week and oral cancer screening is a routine part of the checkup.

“It is important to get an oral cancer screening regularly; early detection can save your life,” said Dina Howell, the chief dental officer TFHC. “We are committed to our patient’s overall health. Our dentists perform oral cancer screenings daily, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of our affordable and accessible services.”

People may get oral cancer in one of two ways: long term use of tobacco and alcohol and exposure to the human papilloma virus version 16, which is now the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. The symptoms of oral cancer are:

• Red and or/white discolorations of the soft tissue of the mouth

• Any sore which does not heal within 14 days

• Hoarseness which lasts for a prolonged period of time

• A sensation that something is stuck in your throat when swallowing

• Unexplained numbness in the mouth

• Ear pain that occurs on one side only

• A sore under a denture, which even after adjustment of the denture, still does not heal

• A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth or on the neck

Oral cancer screenings should be conducted every year, so all are encouraged take advantage of TFHC’s low cost, high quality dental services. Contact 813-397-5300 to make an appointment today.