Should I Get an Oral Cancer Screening?

When undergoing a dental appointment, patients can request an oral cancer screening to know if they are at risk of developing the condition. The screenings are meant to detect early signs of the condition before it reaches a more advanced stage.

Why get oral cancer screening?

The 5-year survival rate is at about 50 percent, so it is highly vital to understand the need for early diagnosis for the best chance at treatment. Below are reasons to visit the dentist for an oral cancer screening:

Oral cancer is becoming prevalent among young people, usually, oral cancer is believed to affect older smokers and drinkers only. However, there is an increasing number of younger men and women getting diagnosed with the condition. Scientists believe this is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can contribute to oral cancer. Those between the ages of 25 and 50 could be at risk.

An oral cancer screening takes only a few minutes and involves a visual examination of the mouth, lips and face for indications of cancer or precancerous conditions. If the dental professional finds any of these signs, further diagnostic tests will be necessary. Patients are advised to undergo the screening at least once yearly, it can be included as part of the routine dental checkup and cleaning.

Prevention and early detection are crucial – lifestyle choices remain the leading cause of oral cancer. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, contracting HPV and prolonged sun exposure can increase the risk. Fortunately, the survival rate goes up to about 80 percent if the condition is diagnosed and detected early.

Although it is evident that people who have been diagnosed with the condition often have at least one of the risk factors mentioned earlier, there is a growing number of people who received a diagnosis without any risk factors. Therefore, those without the risk factors should still undergo oral cancer screening as a precautionary measure.

What the dentist checks

Oral cancer screening is crucial because the chances of successful treatment are higher if detected early enough. About 84 percent of oral cancer cases can be diagnosed early by a dental health professional. They often have different methods of checking for the condition. When the dentist performs the screening, they utilize many tools, searching for discoloration or sores around the mouth. They will then feel the tissues around the mouth to abnormalities or lumps. If any form of anomaly is detected in the mouth, they will take a biopsy and send it to the laboratory for further tests.

When the dentist performs the screening, they check for signs like:

• Red or white patches around the mouth
• A lump or hard spot in the mouth
• Numbness or pain when biting down
• Spots that bleed continuously or fail to heal

In conclusion

The best way to stop oral cancer is by undergoing regular oral cancer screening during dental checkups. The general dentist may not provide a diagnosis on the spot, but they will have the tissue tested to know if it is cancer. Schedule a consultation today to get a screening.

Request an appointment here: https://shdentalva.com or call Safe Harbor Dental at (757) 333-0087 for an appointment in our Chesapeake office.

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