Oral Cancer Screenings
Treat and Prevent Oral Cancer with Screenings
Oral cancer is treatable if it is treated early. The earlier the cancer is noticed, diagnosed, and treated, the less likely you are to experience long-term symptoms.
It is important to maintain regularly scheduled oral cancer screenings. Your routine dental checkup includes a visual and tactile examination for any signs of oral cancer. We also check for precancerous lesions in and near your mouth and throat. If further analysis is necessary, we will conduct a routine procedure called a biopsy. During the biopsy a small amount of tissue is sent to a laboratory for microscopic inspection for a definitive diagnosis.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Your lifestyle choices can have a direct impact on your chances for oral cancer. Frequent use of tobacco and alcohol are common causes, along with risky sexual behavior. Be sure to protect yourself from overexposure to the sun, and try to maintain a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables can help protect you from oral and throat cancer. Oral cancer screenings take only a few minutes to conduct, but this annual exam could save your life.
Lumps, Bumps, and Sores
Many of the occasional lumps, bumps, or sores that you find in and around your mouth are totally harmless. Be sure to look out for changes to these ailments over time. Watch out for symptoms like white or red patches, ulcers and lumps anywhere in and around your face and neck. If these symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, this is an indicator that you should schedule an oral cancer screening.
Persistent Sore Throat
Experiencing the occasional sore throat is normal, but prolonged throat soreness is concerning. A persistent sore throat or long-term hoarseness is also major cause for concern. Many oral cancers are “squamous” (scale-shaped) cell carcinomas. These small lesions can usually be found on the sides of the tongue.
Tongue Health
The health of your tongue can be an indicator of oral cancer. The tongue has a rich blood supply and has a direct connection to the lymphatic system which is a part of our immune system. Because of this connection, the tongue is a site from which cancer can easily spread. The floor of the mouth, located under the tongue, is the second most common site of potentially cancerous lesions.
