Oral Cancer Screening: How Is It Done? [VIDEO]
At Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates, we know your oral health plays a vital role in your total body wellness.
That’s why we believe in conducting oral cancer screenings, complimentary for all patients.
With our state-of-the-art dental technology, we’re able to complete an oral screening in under a minute. The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or any abnormalities in your mouth that may lead to cancer.
In our quick video, Leigh will show you how we do it at our office!
Leigh: Hey, my name is Leigh.
I’m going to be showing you how we do our oral cancer screening here in our office. We offer this complimentary service to every patient.
Let’s show you how we do it. All right, Erin, I’m going to get you to open real big and stick your tongue out at me.
All you have to do is follow these simple instructions:
- Stick your tongue out
- Lift your tongue to the roof of your mouth
- Move it to the left, then the right, and finally, back to the center
- Bite down
That’s it!
In addition, we’re going to discuss:
- What oral cancer is
- The signs of oral cancer
- Why oral cancer screening is important
Let’s dive right in.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any part of your mouth, also known as your oral cavity.
It accounts for about three percent of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States, or about 53,000 cases per year.
Common causes include:
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Human papillomavirus
- Sun exposure
It’s important to note risk also increases with age. Mouth cancers occur more often in people over the age of 40.
It also affects twice as many men as women.
What are the signs of oral cancer?
There are different types of signs to look out for in the case of oral cancer.
A white and red sore or lump that doesn’t heal within two weeks may indicate mouth cancer.
Other symptoms may include:
- Sore throat or a lump in your throat that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
- Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth
- Ear pain
See your dentist for an accurate medical diagnosis.
Why are oral cancer screenings important?
Mouth cancer spreads quickly, so early detection is important.
This stops the spread of cancerous cells and saves your life. Oral cancer is typically deadly because it’s caught too late.
Oral cancer screening helps find the early stages of cancer before symptoms appear.
Plus:
It’s quick and painless, as shown in our video!
If oral cancer is detected by your dentist, you’ll need to speak to your doctor about treatment options.
It’s usually treated with one or more of the following:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Treatment depends on your overall health, where the cancer started and spread, and the size and type of tumor.
Where can I get an oral cancer screening in North Carolina?
At Charles Ashley Mann, DDS & Associates, we have the equipment needed to conduct a quick and effective oral cancer screening.
Get your oral cancer screening now!
- Call our Cary office: 919-462-9338
- Call our Garner office: 919-838-7388
- Call our Fuquay-Varina office: 919-552-1044
- Send us a message online
We happily welcome patients from all over North Carolina, including Cary, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Angier, Lillington, Holly Springs, Apex, and Clayton, NC.
