On Saturday, March 29, Penn Dental Medicine’s student-run Philadelphia Oral Cancer Awareness Society will join students from Temple’s Kornberg School of Dentistry to present the 6th Annual Philadelphia Oral Cancer Walk & 5K. This event includes free community oral cancer screenings from 8 a.m. to noon.

Oral cancer is among the few cancers that are on the rise in the United States. The human papilloma virus No. 16 is now the leading cause of oral cancer, surpassing tobacco smoking and chewing. Alcohol use and overexposure to the sun are other major risk factors.

Fortunately, a dentist or doctor can diagnose the disease in its first stages when life-saving treatments are most effective. Individuals enrolled in one of Penn’s dental plans can receive preventive screenings during regular check-ups with no copay.

Register for the 5K at the Oral Cancer Foundation website. All proceeds benefit the Oral Cancer Foundation.