Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is an examination of your oral cavity for signs of cancer. Cancers in the oral cavity include mouth cancer, jaw cancer and tongue cancer. Areas of the oral cavity that are examined during the oral cancer screening are the cheek lining, floor and roof of the mouth, gums, lips, tongue and tonsils.
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
- Sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal
- White or red patch inside of your mouth
- Lump/bump inside your mouth
- Mouth pain
- Swelling or pain in jaw
Who can get oral cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 people are diagnosed with oral cancer before the age of 55. Oral cancer is more commonly diagnosed in men than in women.
Risk factors for development of oral cancer
- Smoking/tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history of cancer
- HPV (human papillomavirus)
- Poor diet
Diagnosis and treatment
We will perform an oral cancer screening every 6 months and examine your mouth for any lumps/bumps, sores, red/white patches or discoloration of the tissue. A biopsy may be needed to determine if the spot is cancerous or noncancerous. Oral cancer is treated the same way as other cancers – surgical removal of the cancerous growth, radiation therapy and chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
