Oral Cancer Screening
Milwaukie, OR
An oral cancer screening involves checking for cancer before a person shows any symptoms. The mouth can reveal precancerous conditions that have the potential to develop into cancer. Detecting abnormal tissue early can prevent cancer from progressing. Once symptoms appear, cancer may have already begun to spread. An oral cancer screening can be performed by both a dentist and a doctor. Here at Sue Walker Dentistry our team is trained to effectively screen patients for signs of oral cancer.
Screenings Are Preventive
It is important to remember that a proactive screening is the most effective preventive measure. If your dentist recommends an oral screening, it does not necessarily mean you have cancer. Researchers are still working to better understand the causes and conditions that contribute to different types of cancer. They study people with various lifestyles and environments to identify common risk factors. These studies help doctors determine who should be screened, what type of treatment may be appropriate, and how often screenings should occur. Regular checkups allow doctors to monitor any changes in the mouth over time, which can make a significant difference in early detection. Oral and oropharyngeal cancers should be screened annually starting around age 18. For those who use tobacco products, screenings should begin at the age they start using these substances. The screenings are typically quick, painless, and noninvasive, making them an easy addition to your routine dental care.
General Info About Oral Cancer
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, nearly 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. Of these individuals, slightly more than half‚ approximately 57%‚ will survive five years, a rate that has only modestly improved over decades. This slight improvement is largely due to an increase in HPV16-related cancers, which respond better to existing treatments. The high death rate from oral cancer is not because it is difficult to detect, but because it is often discovered late. HPV16 has contributed significantly to the rise in oral cancer cases. The virus often affects the base of the tongue, tonsils, and oropharynx, areas that are harder to examine and may not show visible lesions or discolorations in the front of the mouth. Public awareness and education about these risk factors are crucial in encouraging timely screenings.
Detection And Prevention
Oral cancer can be especially dangerous because it may not produce pain or obvious symptoms in its early stages. It can grow silently and has a higher risk of causing second primary tumors. Despite this, dentists and doctors at Sue Walker Dentistry can often identify precancerous tissue changes‚ or even small cancers‚ early. These may appear as red or white patches in the mouth or small, hard ulcers resembling canker sores. Because some tissue changes in the mouth can be signs of precancer or cancer, it is important to have any sore, lump, or discolored area that does not heal within 14 days examined by a professional. Other potential symptoms include a painless lump inside the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking, and persistent hoarseness. Early detection increases treatment options and improves outcomes. If you notice any of these signs, please call 971-447-4385.