ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Oral cancer screening is a short,
painless exam. During the exam,
your dentist looks over the inside of
your mouth to check for red or white
patches or mouth sores. Your dentist
also feels your neck and the tissues
in your mouth to check for lumps or
other abnormalities. Some dentists
use special diagnostics in addition to
screen for oral cancer. As with cancers
of the breast, cervix, skin, prostate,
and colon, early detection is the key
to successful treatment. Regular oral
cancer screenings are an effective
means of finding cancer at its early,
highly curable stages.
Common symptoms of mouth cancer
The hallmark symptoms of this condition
include:
• one or more painful or painless
mouth ulcers that refuses to heal
• white or red patches over the
inside linings of the mouth or
tongue
• a swelling within the mouth that
refuses to go away, even after
three weeks
ORAL CANCER RISK FACTORS
• infection with certain viruses like
human papilloma virus (HPV),
a virus that also causes cervical
cancer in women
• tobacco use
• drinking alcohol in excess
• excessive exposure to the harmful
UV rays of the sun
Oral cancer is a silent killer. Your
dentist may be the first health care
professional to do an exam & recognize
abnormalities.
• If you notice any sores, ulcers,
growths, tissue color changes, or
swelling that lasts over two weeks,
then you must see the dentist!
• Oral cancer survival rates are
approximately 50%.
• Oral cancer exams should be performed
at every cleaning appointment
as a part of your routine
dental exam, at least annually.
• Oral cancer rates are increasing,
especially in young adults.
• Oral cancer signs and symptoms
are not always noticed by the
patient.
• Many oral cancers can be extremely
aggressive and the longer a
patient delays treatment the higher
the chance of more extensive
treatment, physical disfigurement
or possibly death.
For more information, contact Neal M. Solar, DMD:
168 South Clearwater-Largo Road Largo FL 33770 • 727-584-7163 • www.solardentistry.com
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Learn how you can help oral cancer patients and their families.
visit: www.oralcancercause.org
COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE DIGEST • APR–JUN 2019 | WWW.CHDIGEST.COM 13
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