Oral Cancer Screening Near You
An oral cancer screening is performed by a dentist or doctor to detect indicators of cancer or precancerous diseases in the mouth. This examination can identify mouth cancer early on, where there is a greater chance for a cure. The signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Mouth or lip sores that do not disappear
- White or dark red patches on the inside of the mouth
- Lumps on the inside of the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Mouth pain
- Ear pain
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
An oral cancer screening is typically performed during a routine dental visit. Additional testing may also be required to detect areas of abnormal cells in the mouth. We provide oral cancer screening near you at Naples Dental Art Center.
Some medical organizations argue that oral cancer screening is not needed for healthy patients without risk factors. However, oral cancer that is caught early on, can be treated successfully.
Why It’s Done
The purpose of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer or precancerous lesions at an early stage as they are the easiest to treat and most likely to be cured.
A dentist near you can determine if an oral cancer screening or a special test is appropriate based on a patient’s risk factors. Oral cancer screening may be more beneficial for patients who are at high risk for oral cancer.
Risk Factors Include:
- Tobacco use: cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, etc.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: combing alcohol and tobacco use is increasingly dangerous.
- Previous oral cancer diagnosis: patients who have been previously diagnosed with oral cancer are at high risk.
- Prolonged and repeated sun exposure: this increases the risk of lip cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A patient diagnosed with this disease will receive treatment that is dependent on:
- The severity of the disease
- The location of the disease
- The age of the patient
- The patient’s overall health
If a dentist suspects a patient has oral cancer, they may require:
- A biopsy
- Imaging testing
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Looking for oral cancer screening near you? At Naples Dental Art Center, we are happy to provide oral cancer screening in Naples, FL. To learn more, contact our dental clinic.