When caught early, mouth cancer has a very much better prognosis.
That’s why regular screenings are so important.
Our dedicated team will carry out an oral cancer screening each time you come for a check-up. Ideally, you should have a screening every 6-12 months.
If you visit your dentist regularly, you’ve probably already had a cancer screening without being aware of any significant changes to your check-up. Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and neck to detect early signs of oral cancer.
We will ask you for details about your lifestyle and general health to make a calculated risk assessment of the likelihood of abnormal cell reproduction. Additionally, we can help advise you to make daily changes that will reduce your risk of mouth cancer.
Oral Cancer Detection
During the early stages of the condition, you may notice bumps or patches (red/white/speckled) on the inside of your mouth, tongue, lips, or gums. Having persistent sores or ulcers in your mouth or on your lips, as well as loose teeth, may additionally indicate an underlying area of concern.
In the latter stages of oral cancer progression, you may experience soreness or discomfort in the mouth, discomfort when swallowing, lesions inside the mouth, earache, numbness, and changes in your speech.
Should your dentist detect anything that looks out of the ordinary, they will discuss this with you, and you will either have a review appointment made to check progress or will be referred to a specialist for further investigation.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
In the UK, tobacco and alcohol are the leading causes of mouth cancer. Tobacco and alcohol contain carcinogens, which are substances capable of damaging DNA in cells and causing cancer.
Drinking alcohol or smoking increases your risk of mouth cancer. Smoking and drinking together further increases your risk through a synergistic interaction.
Other risk factors for mouth cancer include:
- chewing tobacco or other smokeless tobacco products
- chewing betel nuts with or without added tobacco
- an unhealthy diet
- the human papillomavirus (HPV)
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