Image of man smiling after free oral cancer screening

According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, more than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.

Oral cancer will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly one person per hour.  Only 57% of those diagnosed will be alive in five years.

Early diagnosis is the key to both saving lives and preventing disfigurement.  When found at early stages of development, oral cancers have an 80% to 90% survival rate.

To that end, the St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx is offering free oral cancer screenings from Monday, April 17th – Friday, April 21st, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m at the hospital’s dental clinic, located at 4422 Third Avenue (in the Mills Building).

“A five-minute, painless and non-invasive exam can save one’s life,” said Dr. Dara Rosenberg, director of the St. Barnabas Hospital Dental Clinic.  “Oral cancer kills more people than skin, thyroid or cervical cancer, and when caught early is almost always treatable.”

For more information, please call 718-960-6675.  No appointment is necessary.