Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:39:40 -0800 From: "Dr. Julian H. Zhitnitsky" <drz@dentistsherwood.com> To: "freebsd-isp@freebsd.org" <freebsd-isp@freebsd.org> Subject: Know Thyself: Self-Screening for Oral Cancer Message-ID: <b722a15c168848f29f78e0b4e7c3d7f4@1stnewsletters.com>
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Greetings from Dr=2E Julian H=2E Zhitnitsky! Know Thyself: Self-Screening for Oral Cancer When it comes to leading a long, healthy life, it=92s always best to kn= ow yourself=2E While this advice can take on significant philosophical = meaning, I=92m talking about knowing yourself better physically=2E Bein= g in tune with your body and watching out for early symptoms of disease= can be your ticket to perpetually good health=2E Every hour of every day somebody in the United States dies of oral canc= er=2E This serious dental disease, which affects the mouth, lips or thr= oat, is often highly curable if diagnosed and treated in its early stag= es=2E When you go in for your regular dental exam, you=92re also being = screened for oral cancer=2E While that=92s fine and dandy, it=92s best = to go a step beyond, screening yourself at home regularly=2E This is do= ubly true for those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol, use tobacco= products, are regularly exposed to sunlight, have lip-biting and cheek= -chewing habits or have ill-fitting dentures, as all of these character= istics put you at greater risk=2E Here=92s how to screen for oral cancer at home:=20 - Examine yourself in the mirror=2E The left and right sides of the fac= e and neck should have the same shape=2E Check for swelling, lumps and = bumps=2E - Look at your skin and note any changes in the color or size of sores,= moles or other growths=2E - Press your fingers along the sides and front of your neck=2E Do you f= eel any tenderness or swelling? - Pull your lower lip out and look for any sores=2E Use your thumb and = forefinger to feel the upper and lower lips for lumps or texture change= s=2E - Examine the insides of your cheeks for red, white or dark patches=2E = Gently squeeze and roll each cheek between your index finger and thumb = to check for bumps and tenderness=2E - Tilt your head back to check the roof of your mouth, and then run you= r finger along the surface=2E Do you feel or see any unusual lumps or d= iscoloration? - Check out the top, bottom and sides of your tongue, including the sof= t tissue under it=2E Once again, note any swelling, discoloration or un= usual lumps=2E Symptoms of oral cancer include: sores on the face, neck or mouth that = do not heal within a couple of weeks; swelling, lumps or bumps on the l= ips and gums; chronic bleeding in the mouth; white, red or dark patches= in your lips, cheeks, gums or tongue; and numbness, loss of feeling or= general pain in any area of the face, mouth or neck=2E If you experien= ce any of these symptoms, or find something unusual during your self-ex= am, call our office at (818)785-8388 immediately for an appointment! If you have questions regarding dental health, please call us at (818)7= 85-8388 or email us at drz@dentistsherwood=2Ecom today=2E Best Regards, Dr=2E Julian H=2E Zhitnitsky P=2ES=2E If you have any friends or family members who you feel could u= se our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us=2E We'll be= sure to take good care of them=2E
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