Why I Care So Much About Screening For Oral Cancer

How often do you have your oral cancer screenings? You may be surprised at how important it can be. You could potentially save your life through this screening- and it is a fast and painless procedure.

Patients are increasingly receiving this treatment routinely from their dentists. Most patients are unaware of the early symptoms of this condition because they are usually subtle. 

Early detection and treatment of this condition are possible. If left untreated, oral cancer can be aggressive and can take a toll on your health and other body parts as well. 

So, in this article we will discuss the same and why you should start getting your screening as soon as possible.

Overview of oral cancer screening

In oral cancer, both the tongue and the back of the throat are affected. There are several places where this disease may develop, including the tongue, the gum tissue, the tongue base, around the throat, and behind the back teeth.

It is important to note that oral cancer has four stages, with each stage having a greater or lesser chance of survival. Generally, stage 1 has a survival rate of 80% -85%, stage 2 is 65% -70%, stage 3 is 35% -65%, and stage 4 is 20% -35%.

These numbers make it even more vital to get oral cancer screening done when you visit your dentist or healthcare provider. 

Here are some of the symptoms of oral cancer that you should look out for and take immediate medical attention if you notice any of these: 

• Lump in the throat or neck
• Continually recurring lesions or sores in the mouth
• The voice that is persistently hoarse
• Both ears are often bothered by persistent earache
• A sensation of numbness in the mouth or surrounding areas
• Having difficulty swallowing or experiencing pain while chewing 

Advantages of getting oral cancer screening done

The screening of oral cancer is very beneficial to keep your overall health on track. It helps in detecting various underlying diseases. 

For example, cancerous growths in the throat and mouth are unlikely to be detected. Since they do not cause pain, most people are unaware of them until they become painful. 

The sooner they are discovered, the easier it is to remove them or treat them. As a result, oral cancer screening provides the most significant advantage in the form of early detection.

The need for an extra appointment isn’t required in the case of oral screenings. Routine dental office visits are the best time to schedule them, as they do not require a lot of extra effort or time.

What is the screening process? 

A lymph node palpation and skin examination are performed during the screening process.

 

Tonsils, tongue surfaces, and mouth floors are the most commonly affected areas for oral cancer in the mouth.

As the process is so noninvasive, it is usually finished before the patient has a chance to realize it has happened.

The low-intensity light used in this exam also exposes the abnormal cancer cells. The light makes them appear and they can be detected quickly. 

By performing a screening procedure, dentists or hygienists are able to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages in the most accurate way.

Who is at risk and preventive care?

In addition to tobacco users and alcoholics, older men and adults over 44 are also at high risk. HPV infections have also been linked to oral cancer in recent research findings.

A common problem with this disease is that it is usually diagnosed in the late stages and that makes it hard to cure. In order to reduce the number of cases, dentists are screening patients for this disease during routine visits.

It is even more important for patients to receive regular preventative dental care, as these visits provide the opportunity to detect emerging health issues as early as possible. The goal is to catch dental problems in their early stages, such as decay and gum disease, as well as to screen for oral cancer.

Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwashes are common habits that must be followed every day. Preventive care not only promotes good dental health but helps a person maintain overall well-being, as oral health is closely related to physical health.