The goal of oral cancer screening is to identify mouth cancer early, where there is a greater chance for a cure.
Oral cancers are difficult to diagnose because of their location. Signs and symptoms may become obvious only at more advanced stages. However, early detection is paramount for good outcomes. Early detection of oral cancer provides a window of opportunity to diagnose patients and potentially save lives. Oral cancer patients have a very low survival rate beyond five years when they’re first diagnosed, heightening the importance of screenings.
As a patient, it is essential that you attend dental check-ups regularly while monitoring if you notice any red or white spots, sores or lumps in the mouth or neck that look unusual or do not heal.
Prevention of oral cancers should include maintaining regular dental visits for routine oral screenings, ensuring you are able to detect any sign of cancers early, and at a curable stage. Maintaining good oral hygiene is also paramount in the prevention of oral cancers.
At Sydney General Dental, we are passionate about early screening for oral cancer. Dental examinations, unlike many other cancer screening procedures, are not invasive and are important for the diagnosis and treatment of the problem.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to come see Dr Tinney today regarding Oral Cancer Screenings.
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of oral cancer, which may include; red or white patches, ulcerations, lumps, loose teeth, chronic hoarseness, numbness of the tongue, or other areas of the mouth that take a long time to heal.
Our oral cancer examination involves a screening of the oral cavity as a whole and not just your teeth. During your examination you will feel no discomfort or pain involved with the screening.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact us today!