At Beckstead Dental Group, our board-certified dentists will assess your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Find out more about oral cancer screenings or contact us today to request an appointment at our Palo Alto office.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is a general term that refers to any cancer inside of the mouth. Often, it impacts your lips or mouth, leading to issues like bleeding sores. Because oral cancer can severely affect your quality of life, and be potentially life-threatening, it’s important to get regular screenings to detect this kind of cancer early on.
Without treatment, oral cancer can spread throughout your mouth, throat, head, and neck. While it’s not the most life-threatening form of cancer, it can still be deadly. Around 63% of people who have oral cancer are still living five years after getting their diagnosis.
Oral cancer impact surrounds 11 people in 100,000, and it’s more common in people who are older than 60. Men are also more likely to end up with oral cancer.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
While oral cancer is relatively rare compared to some other types of cancer, it’s still crucial to be cautious.
During an oral cancer screening, our dentists will visually examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. They may use other tests if they suspect you have oral cancer, such as a small biopsy of the abnormal cells.
It’s also useful to know the signs of oral cancer, so you can seek medical help immediately. Common symptoms include:
- Sores on your lips or the inside of your mouth
- Rough spots on your lips or gums
- Areas inside your mouth that bleed randomly
- Pain or tenderness around your mouth or neck
- Troubles with eating, chewing, or swallowing
- Bad breath
It’s always better to be cautious! So, if you notice any of these issues, set up an appointment with us. Even if you have another mouth issue, it’s better to have pain or sores treated than left alone.
Request an Exam in Palo Alto Today!
During our dental cleanings and exams, one of our dentists will look over our youth for concerning symptoms, including signs of oral cancer. However, if you are at high risk for oral cancer ornotice symptoms, you can also set up a specific screening.
At our family-friendly office, we are able to handle routine dental issues and more serious ones. So, don’t hesitate to reach out. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!