Understanding the importance of an oral cancer screening is necessary, especially for dental patients who smoke, drink alcohol, or spend a lot of time in the sun without using some protection. According to the Mayo Clinic, oral cancer screening aims to identify mouth cancer early, when there is a greater chance for a cure.
Learning what happens during an oral cancer screening is helpful, as when dental patients know what to expect during this type of screening, they will feel more comfortable while the screening is being performed. A dentist will first look inside of the patient's mouth to check for any abnormalities, including lingering mouth sores or red and white patches. The dentist will then feel the inside of the mouth to find out if there are any lumps or any other suspicious areas in the mouth. Examining the lips, throat, and neck is the last part of an oral cancer screening.
Oral cancer screenings are performed on dental patients every time they undergo an examination. This type of screening is fairly common, as it is easier to treat when oral cancer is found in its earliest stages. In addition, dentists tend to ask the patient questions during the screening, which allows them to better understand their health habits, making it essential for patients to be completely honest as this information helps the dentist know what to look for.
Some patients who are considered to be at high risk will need to undergo additional screenings. One example is using a screening dye, which shows abnormal cells in the mouth by making them appear blue. Another example is using a screening light, which makes any abnormal tissues appear white.
There are four stages of oral cancer. Depending on the stage someone is in will determine the type of treatment they will need to undergo.
The first stage means the cancer is 2 centimeters or smaller and that it has not spread to the patient's lymph nodes. The second stage means the cancer is between 2 and 4 centimeters and has not yet spread to the lymph nodes. The third stage means the cancer is now bigger than 4 centimeters and still has not spread to the lymph nodes. The fourth and final stage of oral cancer means the cancer can be any size and it has spread to the lymph nodes or anywhere else in the body.
Now that the above oral cancer screening information is understood, it is important to maintain regular oral cancer screenings. The entire screening process does not take long to perform and does not cause any discomfort or pain. For those overdue for an oral cancer screening, make an appointment with a general dentist. The sooner cancer is found, the better the chances of successful treatment are.
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