Oral Cancer Screening Near You
Receiving oral cancer screening near you is a part of your regular oral exams to keep your mouth healthy. Oral cancer affects any part of the mouth or its surrounding tissues, including the tongue, lip, cheeks, and throat. This type of cancer used to be more common in those who smoke or consume excessive alcohol; however, oral cancer can pertain to any age, even children can be affected. The overall survival rate for oral cancer is about 57%; however, if any signs of this cancer are caught and treated early, it improves by 83%. The most common type of oral cancer is malignant squamous cell carcinoma. Oral cancer symptoms are usually not noticeable immediately; however, we can identify oral cancer traces early with oral cancer examinations. If you’re looking to receive an oral cancer screening in Scarborough, ON your dentist will carefully examine your mouth for any signs of pathologic changes.
Oral Cancer Exams Near You
Some risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Exposure to UV rays—sun and tanning beds
- Poor diet
- Viral infections such as HPV16
Your dentist will look for these signs during an oral cancer screening near you at our clinic:
- Leukoplakia: A white or gray hard, slightly raised lesion in the mouth
- Lumps: Soreness, bumps, or thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth
- Sores and red patches: Sores that bleed easily or red patches on the floor of the mouth or sides of the tongue
The Process of Receiving Oral Cancer Exams Near You
This procedure is painless and very beneficial for your oral health. Your dentist will start with a visual examination where he or she will look for abnormalities by feeling the face, glands, and neck for unusual bumps. Lasers are also great to highlight any abnormalities below that would be hard to see with the naked eye. If there are lesions, lumps, or any other abnormalities, your dentist will implement a treatment plan and diagnostic impression. If the initial treatment plan is not adequate, a biopsy will be performed on the area that shows abnormalities. A biopsy will include clinical evaluations that identify the stage and grade of the oral lesion. Treatments can vary depending on the diagnosis, but it may consist of radiation therapy, excision, and chemotherapy.
Receiving an oral cancer screening near you at your dental office is vital for your overall well being. At Vista Dental Clinic, we care about your oral health just as much as you do. We provide oral cancer screenings in Scarborough, ON to detect early signs of oral issues and cancers. Please contact our dental clinic to learn more about receiving oral cancer exams near you and how they can benefit your oral health.
