Oral Cancer Screenings Thorndale
Finding Cancer Early Could Save Your Life!
Many patients might not realize that when they visit Chester County Dental Arts, we’re not just looking for gum disease and cavities; we’re also searching for signs or symptoms that could point towards oral cancer. An oral cancer screening during your next checkup could literally save your life.
Why Choose Chester County Dental Arts for Oral Cancer Screenings?
- Screenings Performed Using Latest Technology
- Updated, Modern Multi-Specialty Dental Office
- Conveniently Close for Sadsburyville & Coatesville
What is Oral Cancer?
Cancer is any condition where your body’s cells start to grow out of control, causing them to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Oral cancer can develop anywhere in the mouth, meaning your tongue, lips, cheeks, and on your throat.
Patients who smoke or drink excessively are at a higher risk of oral cancer; you might also develop the condition if you’re exposed to direct sunlight for too long. Some patients are more susceptible to oral cancer than others, such as those with certain genetic markers or those who have autoimmune disorders.
Oral cancer tends to affect men more often than women. In the past, people over the age of 50 were at the highest risk, but nowadays, more and more young people are also developing the disease.
What Happens During an Oral Cancer Screening?
You’ll receive a screening at least once a year. We’ll ask you about any changes you’ve noticed in your mouth, neck, jaw, or throat; we also need to gather information about your overall health.
During the actual screening, we’ll be looking for some of the potential symptoms of oral cancer, such as:
- Sores on the lips and mouth that won’t heal
- A lump, hard mass, or any kind of growth in your mouth
- Bleeding
- Red or white patches
- Sore throat and hoarse voice
- Swelling in the neck, throat, or mouth
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Tongue pain
If one of these symptoms is found, it won’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer; a sore throat, for example, could have any number of less life-threatening causes. However, if we do find worrying symptoms, we’ll be able to point you in the right direction for treatment.
Why is Early Detection of Oral Cancer So Important?
It’s a lot easier to treat oral cancer in its earliest stages. If the condition is allowed to spread, patients will only have a 38% chance of surviving the next five years; however, if the cancer is still localized, those odds climb to 83%!
Regular appointments with your dentist will give you the best chance of detecting oral cancer early; that’s because you’ll see your dentist at least twice a year, which is more often than you may see your regular doctor. It’s just one more reason why those preventive dental checkups and cleanings are so important!
