Free Oral Cancer Screenings in Prosper

In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas (OSANT) will offer free oral cancer screenings April 16 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Prosper clinic. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. To participate, arrive at the Prosper clinic during the designated times and ask for a free cancer screening. Clinic location: 540 W. Frontier Parkway, Suite 100, Prosper, Texas 75078.

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.

"The good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80-90% when diagnosed early, as reported by the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation," said OSANT's Phillip Newton, DDS, MD. "That's why we recommend annual screenings for most patients."

In addition to yearly screenings by a qualified health professional, Dr. Newton also recommends monthly self-exams, using a bright light and mirror.

"Look for anything out of the ordinary, such as lumps, swelling, bleeding, white or red patches, or sores that won't heal – particularly those that bleed," added Dr. Newton. "If you find anything out of the ordinary, get it checked out as soon as possible. Don't wait until you're in pain because you might not feel pain during the initial stages."


Category: Community | Local / Community