Oral Cancer Screening
According to research conducted by the American Cancer society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year. More than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The good news is that oral cancer can easily be diagnosed with an annual oral cancer exam, and effectively treated when caught in its earliest stages.
Oral cancer is a silent killer, which may not be readily noticeable. This makes the oral cancer examinations performed by the dentist critically important. When oral cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, treatment is generally very effective.
There are many different places in the oral cavity and maxillofacial region in which oral cancers commonly occur, including:
- Lips
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Salivary Glands
- Oropharyngeal Region (throat)
- Gums
- Face
The following signs will be investigated during a routine oral cancer exam:
- Red patches and sores – Red patches on the floor of the mouth, the front and sides of the tongue, white and pink patches which fail to heal and slow healing sores that bleed easily can be indicative of oral cancer.
- Leukoplakia – This is a hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear anywhere inside the mouth.
- Lumps – Soreness, lumps or the general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth can signal pathological problems.
Oral Cancer Exams, Diagnosis and Treatments
The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process, which is done at the initial appointment and yearly. During the visual part of the examination, Dr. Jones will look for abnormalities and feel the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps.
If you have questions or concerns about oral cancer, please ask Dr. Jones or the hygiene team.