The process of examining a patient’s oral cavity and the surrounding area to look for any warning signs of oral cancer or precancerous diseases is known as oral cancer screening. Usually, our dentist or an oral surgeon would offer an oral cancer screening near you during a regular dental check-up or examination.
Oral cancer screening seeks to detect any anomalies or suspicious lesions at an early stage when there is a greater likelihood of effective treatment and favorable results. Since it enables prompt intervention and proper therapy, early identification is essential for improving the prognosis of oral cancer.
Importance of Oral Cancer Screening
The following factors make oral cancer screening extremely important:
- Early detection: Early identification improves the prognosis and increases the likelihood that oral cancer will be successfully treated. Regular screenings assist in detecting anomalies or worrisome lesions before they progress to more severe stages.
- Better treatment outcomes: Prompt action and proper treatment choices are made possible by early identification, which can result in more successful outcomes. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, surgery, or a combination of these methods may all be used by our dentist in NE Calgary to treat oral cancer.
- Prevention of disease progression: Screening assists in locating lesions or diseases with precancerous potential that might turn into mouth cancer. Cancer development can be stopped by identifying and treating these early-stage aberrations.
- Decreased mortality and morbidity: Oral cancer can have serious financial, emotional, and physical repercussions. Regular screenings can lessen the need for expensive and invasive treatments by lowering the chance of acquiring advanced-stage oral cancer, enhancing the quality of life, and lowering death rates.
- Finding risk factors: Oral cancer screenings give the chance to evaluate and discuss oral cancer risk factors, including alcohol and cigarette use, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and sun exposure. Healthcare providers may inform patients about the value of risk reduction and lifestyle modifications by identifying these risk factors.
- Patient education and awareness: Oral cancer screenings provide a chance to educate patients about the warning signs and symptoms of the disease, the value of practicing excellent dental hygiene, and the advantages of leading a healthy lifestyle. More knowledge can enable people to seek immediate medical help if they observe any abnormal changes in their mouth cavity.
Steps Involved in Oral Cancer Screening
In order to examine the oral cavity for indications of cancer or precancerous lesions, oral cancer screening often entails many processes. The typical procedures for screening for oral cancer are as follows:
1. Review of medical history: Our dentist near you will inquire about your past medical history, including any symptoms you may be having, risk factors, and any oral health issues you may have had in the past.
2. Physical examination: Your mouth, tongue, lips, gums, and other oral tissues will all be carefully inspected by our dentist. Any anomalies, such as tumours, sores, white or red patches, or other suspicious regions, will be investigated.
3. Visual inspection: Our dentist will visually evaluate every area of the oral cavity, including the sides of the tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the back of the throat, using strong light and a mirror.
4. Palpation: To check for any odd lumps or masses, our dentist might gently touch and feel the tissues in your mouth and neck.
5. Biopsy (if required): A biopsy may be suggested if any concerning lesions are found during the examination. After a tiny sample is removed and sent to a lab for additional examination, it will be decided if the tissue is malignant or precancerous.
It’s crucial to remember that screening for oral cancer is a preventative strategy and does not offer a final diagnosis. The presence of oral cancer may need to be confirmed by additional testing or treatments if any abnormalities are found during the screening. Regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene are crucial for early identification and prevention of oral cancer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting oral cancer screenings in NE Calgary is crucial in maintaining oral health and overall well-being. Regular appointments provide an opportunity to detect oral cancer and precancerous conditions at an early stage, leading to improved treatment outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality.
SaddleStone Dental offers a comprehensive oral examination, including a visual inspection and palpation of the oral cavity, to identify any abnormalities or suspicious lesions. Our skilled dentist is experienced in oral cancer screening and dedicated to providing high-quality care.
Call or walk-in today to ensure a healthy smile!
