April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

Article contributed by Audra Stewart-Gordon, Community Health and Communications Coordinator

Oral cancer is a serious health concern that often goes unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage. Each year, about 54,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer, and nearly 11,000 lives are lost to it annually (American Cancer Society, 2024). Early detection is crucial—not only for survival but also for maintaining quality of life.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat. It typically appears as a persistent sore or growth in the mouth that doesn’t go away. Other symptoms include difficulty chewing or swallowing, a lump or thickening in the cheek, numbness in the tongue, or voice changes.

Risk Factors

The most common risk factors for oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco use (including smoking and smokeless forms)

  • Heavy alcohol consumption

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV-16

  • Excessive sun exposure to the lips

  • A history of oral cancer or a weakened immune system

Combining tobacco and alcohol increases risk exponentially, more than either risk factor alone.

Importance of Early Detection

The five-year survival rate for oral cancer is about 66%, but that number jumps to over 85% when caught early (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 2023). Regular dental checkups play a key role in early detection, as many dental professionals are trained to screen for suspicious lesions during routine exams.

What You Can Do

  • Schedule regular dental visits, ideally every six months

  • Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol use

  • Practice good oral hygiene

  • Use lip balm with SPF to protect against sun exposure

  • Learn about HPV vaccination, which can reduce the risk of related cancers

Spread the Word

Oral Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to educate yourself and others. Talk to your dentist or healthcare provider if you notice any unusual symptoms. Early action can save lives.

Let’s make awareness contagious—because prevention starts with knowledge.

Sources:

POSTTracey CarlsonHPM, cancer, oral cancer, neck cancer, head cancer, cancer prevention, cancer risk factors, cancer screening