First Choice Pharmacy

☀️ Protect Your Skin. Detect Early. Stay Healthy.

May is National Melanoma / Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month — a reminder that early detection can make a big difference.

Simple ways to protect yourself:
✔️ Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+)
✔️ Reapply every 2 hours outdoors
✔️ Wear protective clothing & sunglasses
✔️ Avoid peak UV hours when possible
✔️ Check your skin regularly for new or changing spots

ABCDE warning signs to remember:
🔎 Asymmetry
🔎 Border irregularity
🔎 Color changes
🔎 Diameter (>6 mm)
🔎 Evolving appearance

If something looks unusual, schedule a skin evaluation with your healthcare provider.

📍 First Choice Pharmacy
7909 Hillcroft St., Suite B
Houston, TX 77081
📞 713-779-7603

Your health matters — prevention and early detection start today.

🩺 World Hypertension Day 🩺
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it may not show symptoms — but it can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems.

✅ Check your blood pressure regularly
✅ Take medications as directed
✅ Reduce sodium & stay active
✅ Eat healthy and manage stress

At First Choice Pharmacy, we’re here to support your heart health with personalized care, medication counseling, and fast friendly service.

📍 First Choice Pharmacy
📞 713-779-7603

💙 ALS Awareness Month | First Choice Pharmacy

🧠 Understanding ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control.

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⚠️ Common Symptoms

* Muscle weakness
* Difficulty speaking or swallowing
* Muscle cramps or twitching
* Loss of mobility

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💊 How We Support You

At First Choice Pharmacy, we’re here to help:
✔ Medication counseling
✔ Compounding solutions
✔ Coordination with your doctor
✔ Fast service + FREE delivery

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📍 Visit Us Today

First Choice Pharmacy
7909 Hillcroft St., Suite B, Houston, TX 77081
📞 713-779-7603

ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Every April, communities across the United States unite to raise awareness about oral cancer — one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting Americans today. At First Choice Pharmacy, we believe that awareness is the most powerful prescription we can offer. This April, we are proud to join the national conversation and remind our Houston community: early detection saves lives.

What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancers that develop in any part of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and throat. Like most cancers, oral cancer is most successfully treated when detected in its earliest stages — making awareness and routine screening critically important.

Oral cancer can affect anyone, but certain risk factors significantly increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease:

• To***co use — smoking ci******es, ci**rs, pipes, or using chewing to***co
• Heavy or frequent alcohol consumption
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly HPV-16
• Prolonged sun exposure to the lips
• A weakened immune system
• A prior diagnosis of oral cancer
• Age (most cases occur in people over 40, though HPV-related cases are rising in younger adults)

Know the Warning Signs
Oral cancer is often painless in its early stages, which is why it frequently goes undetected. Being familiar with the warning signs and performing regular self-exams can make a life-saving difference. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following persisting for more than two weeks:

Physical Signs
• Sores or ulcers that do not heal
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• A lump, thickening, or rough spot
• Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
• Loose teeth without dental cause

Functional Symptoms
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
• Numbness or pain in mouth or lips
• Ear pain on one side without hearing loss
• Unexplained weight loss

Prevention: Steps You Can Take Today

While no cancer is entirely preventable, there are meaningful steps every individual can take to significantly reduce their risk of developing oral cancer:

• Quit to***co of all kinds — smoking and chewing to***co are the leading risk factors for oral cancer. Ask your pharmacist about cessation programs and FDA-approved aids.
• Limit alcohol consumption — heavy alcohol use triples the risk of oral cancer. Moderation is key.
• Get the HPV vaccine — the HPV vaccine is recommended for preteens but can benefit adults up to age 45. Ask us about availability.
• Protect your lips from sun exposure — use SPF lip balm and wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
• Eat a balanced, antioxidant-rich diet — fruits and vegetables high in vitamins A and C support oral health.
• Perform regular self-exams — check your mouth monthly for any changes, sores, or patches.
• Visit your dentist regularly — dentists perform oral cancer screenings and can detect early changes you may miss.

How First Choice Pharmacy Can Help?

As your neighborhood pharmacist, Tri Le, PharmD is committed to being more than just the place you pick up your prescriptions. We are your health partner — and during Oral Cancer Awareness Month, that means being a resource, a guide, and an advocate for your wellbeing.

To***co Cessation Support
Quitting to***co is the single most impactful step you can take to reduce your oral cancer risk. We carry FDA-approved ni****ne replacement products including patches, gum, and lozenges, and can counsel you on prescription cessation medications. Talk to Pharmacist Tri Le for a personalized quit plan at no charge.

Medication Reviews
Certain medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which increases the risk of oral complications. During our free medication review consultations, we can identify medications that may be affecting your oral health and work with your doctor on alternatives or solutions.

Patient Education
We provide easy-to-understand materials on oral cancer risk factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies. Stop by our pharmacy to pick up our Oral Cancer Awareness resource packet this April — available free to all patients and community members.

This April, Make One Call That Could Change Everything.
Call Pharmacist Tri Le for a free consultation: 713-779-7603
7909 Hillcroft St., Suite B • Houston, Texas 77081