Oral Cancer Awareness and Prevention

Jackson, Miss. — April is recognized as Oropharyngeal (mouth/throat), Head and Neck Cancer Prevention Month, and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is spreading awareness that many of these cancers are largely preventable. Of the roughly 560 Mississippians diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers each year, about 140 die, a mortality rate of about 25 percent.

The strongest risk factors for these cancers are tobacco and alcohol use, and human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. In fact, oral, head and neck cancers have increased by about 1 percent each year since the mid-2000s, mostly because of a rise in cancers linked to HPV.

You can lower your risk of developing these types of cancer:

• Don't smoke. If you smoke or use nicotine products, consider quitting. Resources to help can be found at quitnow.net/ms
• Visit the dentist regularly and ask for oral cavity screening; checkups often can find head and neck cancers early, when they are easier to treat.
• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
• Get vaccinated against the HPV virus, which causes 90% of all HPV-related cancers.
• Use condoms and dental dams during sex, both available at county health departments.
• Visit the dentist regularly and ask for oral cavity screening; checkups often can find head and neck cancers early, when they are easier to treat. Visit this link to take a cancer risk assessment: www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/cancer-risk-360.htm.

For more resources, visit msdh.ms.gov/cancer

Follow us on social media: facebook.com/HealthyMS | twitter.com/msdh | instagram.com/healthy.ms

Press Contact: MSDH Office of Communications, (601) 576-7667
Note to media: After hours or during emergencies, call (601) 576-7400