If it is determined that precancerous or cancerous cells exist, the lesion may need to be surgically removed.
What Does Oral Cancer Screening Involve?
“Screening” for cancer involves looking for cancerous cells or pre-cancerous conditions before are any symptoms are present. Due to the aggressive nature of many cancers, detecting and treating the condition early is an important element of successful treatment. By the time symptoms have appeared, the cancer is likely to have spread and become more difficult to treat.
When your dentist performs an oral cancer screening, he is simply examining the tissues in your mouth to determine whether subtle signs exist that may point to a potential problem in the future. Oral cancer usually presents as a small, flat white or red spot or a sore that does not seem to heal. The screening itself will likely involve a visual examination during which your dentist will look for any spot or sore that seems out of the ordinary. If your dentist identifies a small spot that does not have a clear cause, he may perform a “brush test” to ensure that the spot or sore is not harmful.
If it is determined that precancerous or cancerous cells exist, the lesion may need to be surgically removed.
Should I Be Screened?
You should certainly consider screening if you have any of the risk factors associated with oral cancer. Tobacco use (in all forms) is the most common cause of oral cancer. But other risk factors include excessive alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV), former radiation treatments to the head or neck, and being over 40 years of age.
Even if you have none of the risk factors and believe you are in good health, there is no good reason not to be screened for oral cancer. More than 25% of the people who are diagnosed with oral cancer had none of the known risk factors. And more than 25% of those people diagnosed with the disease will ultimately die from it — it is not a disease to be trifled with. African Americans seem to be particularly susceptible. They are more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
It’s important to remember that your dentist may recommend screening for oral cancer even with there is no reason to suspect that any problem exists. Because routine screening is such a simple process and is so effective at identifying cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions, it is considered prudent to examine your mouth for unusual spots or sores at every opportunity.
