Oral Cancer Screening

Early detection is key in the battle against cancer and this is no different with oral cancer. Even if you don’t smoke, keep in mind that 25% of oral cancer diagnoses are for non-smokers. It’s important that every patient receive a simple and pain-free oral cancer screening.

Risk factors for oral cancer include:

• Tobacco use (smoking, chewing, and dip)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor diet
• HPV (human papilloma virus)
• Age (higher risk over 40 years old)

Oral cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages, which is why it’s important to have a screening that can detect potential problems before they’re visible to the naked eye or cause sensations.

Signs and Symptoms

Oral cancer can appear throughout the mouth, including on your lips, cheeks, gums tongue, the roof of your mouth and other soft tissue surfaces. It can also develop further back in your throat, which doctors call oropharyngeal cancer.

Red or white sores that don’t get better over time are the most common oral cancer symptom. These can be discoloured patches or hard lumps, or ulcers that don’t heal. They may be accompanied by feelings of pain, but they often aren’t painful. Because it can be difficult to distinguish cancerous sores from normal mouth sores, seeing your dentist for regular screenings is extremely important.

Other symptoms include throat soreness, bad breath and changes in the mouth, such as loose teeth or difficulty chewing and swallowing. If you experience any of these, you should come see us immediately. Though conditions other than cancer can cause these things, visiting us as early as possible is your best chance to improve your oral cancer prognosis.

How Dentists Diagnose Oral Cancer

During your oral cancer screening, your dentist will visually examine your mouth and surrounding areas. Using lights, mirrors and other tools, they can check areas of your mouth that are otherwise too difficult to see. They are also trained to locate more subtle signs of cancer such as asymmetrical features inside and outside the mouth.

Your dentist will complete an oral cancer screening as part of your comprehensive oral examination. Serious concerns will be referred to a specialist for further testing. Less serious changes to your oral condition may require you to return for regular monitoring by your dentist.

Remember that when caught early, oral cancer has an 80 to 90% survival rate. Oral cancer can seem like a scary thing, but we encourage you to come to us any concerns as soon as possible. Early detection and lifestyle changes will help ensure the best possible outcome. So be sure to ask the dentist or the hygienist for your annual screening!