Oral cancer can affect everyone, regardless of age. That’s why Delta Dental is working with key partners to raise awareness of oral cancer and promote the importance of regular screenings.
Delta Dental has teamed up with the Michigan Primary Care Association to help educate the public about symptoms and risk factors and to offer free clinics throughout the month of April.
Register for a clinic
In recognition of National Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month in April, the Delta Dental Foundation and Michigan Primary Care Association are teaming up to offer free oral cancer clinics at participating MPCA health centers across the state.
Hackley Community Care
2700 Baker Street—First Floor Muskegon, MI
Thursday, April 18 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To register, call 231-737-8603, extension 6775
Patients seeking care may receive a dental cleaning, oral cancer screening and—if eligible—the first dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. HPV causes about 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancers in the U.S. and the vaccination can prevent most of the cancers from developing.
Patients with insurance, should bring their insurance card and ID. Those who are uninsured, bring ID and proof of income for eligibility determination.
Manistee Senior Center
457 River Street, Manistee, MI
Thursday, April 18 | 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To register, call 231-723-6477
Patients seeking care may receive a dental assessment and oral cancer screening by staff from Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc.
*The Delta Dental Foundation is providing funding for dental cleanings for patients who are not Medicaid eligible.
What you need to know about oral cancer
Learn everything you need to know about oral cancer in this video from Delta Dental and Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center. The video features Dr. Jeff Johnston, vice president and chief science officer for Delta Dental of Michigan, and Dr. Muhammad Hamdan, who practices hematology and oncology at Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center.
Startling statistics
49,670
new cases of oral and throat cancer were diagnosed in 20171 |
65%
of those diagnosed will survive 5 years or more1 |
Oral cancer is
2x
more common in men2 |
$3.2 billion
is spent annually in the U.S. on treatment of head and neck cancers3 |
What to look for
- Mouth sores that last longer than two weeks
- Swelling, growths or lumps anywhere in or near your mouth or neck
- White or red patches in your mouth or on your lips
- Repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness
If you notice any of the symptoms above, call your dentist to make an appointment for an oral cancer screening.
1 National Cancer Institute, “Cancer Stat Facts: Oral cavity and Pharynx Cancer,” web.
2 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, “2016 Oral Cancer Fact Sheet.”
3 The Oral Cancer Foundation, “Oral Cancer Facts,” web.