In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Colorado Regional Oral Surgery will offer free oral cancer screenings April 14-15 from 3 to 4 pm. To participate, arrive at the clinic during the designated days and times, and ask for a free cancer screening. Clinic location: 8025 Club Crest Drive, Arvada, Colo., 80005.

The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. April is widely recognized as Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics and screenings. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer – with 13,150 deaths attributed to it – in 2026.

“Oral cancer cases are on the rise, but the good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90% when diagnosed early, according to the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation,” said Nicholas Politano, DDS, of Colorado Regional Oral Surgery. “That’s why we recommend most patients get an annual exam by a qualified healthcare professional. In addition, we recommend routine visits with your general dentist and monthly self-exams.”

Some common symptoms to look for – as identified by the CDC – include sores or pain in the mouth or throat that will not go away; swelling or unusual bleeding; or difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking and chewing or swallowing food.

“When doing a self-exam, use a bright light and a mirror to look for anything out of the ordinary. In particular, look for white or red patches, sores that won’t heal, lumps, swelling or bleeding,” said Eric J. Reimer, DDS, of Colorado Regional Oral Surgery. “Your mouth is one of your body’s most important warning systems.”

The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 64 and that one in five cases occur in people younger than 55. Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, nutrition, mouth/face injuries, oral hygiene and certain medical conditions/diseases.

“If your mouth feels, looks or functions differently, get it checked out by a qualified healthcare professional as soon as possible,” added Sara Weinstein, DDS, MS, of Colorado Regional Oral Surgery. “Don’t wait until you’re in pain to address it. You may not experience pain during the initial stages of oral cancer, and early detection can make a big difference in terms of options and outcomes.”