If you could do one thing each year to protect yourself from a disease that kills one American per hour, would you? We’ve got good news — you can get an oral cancer screening at your next dental checkup and cleaning. This simple exam is performed by your dentist in Simpsonville in just a few minutes, and it can greatly improve outcomes after oral cancer diagnoses. That makes the screening well worth the (small) investment in time!
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer is cancer of the hard or soft tissues of the oral cavity, cheeks, lips, or throat. The rates of this disease are steadily climbing with the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Young and otherwise healthy patients are affected at a greater rate — especially young men. It is estimated that close to 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.
Oral cancer screenings aid in early detection and can greatly increase the chances of having a successful outcome following an oral cancer diagnosis.
What Can I Expect in an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a visual and tactile examination that we can perform during a regularly-scheduled appointment. During the screening, we’re looking out for the irregularities that can indicate the need for further testing.
First, we’ll ask you a series of questions about your oral health. Have you noticed anything unusual lately, like a chance in the tone of voice? Do you have any lesions that have not healed? Next, your dentist will look around and gently feel for lumps or bumps that could spell trouble. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete the exam.
If we find anything out of the norm, we’ll provide advice to help ensure you receive the follow-up treatment you require. A lesion will need to be biopsied right away, while we may just want to monitor something less concerning and ask you to come in again in a couple of weeks.
How Often Should I Get an Oral Cancer Screening?
It’s a good idea to get an oral cancer screening at every checkup and cleaning. This way, you don’t have to schedule an extra appointment to have it taken care of — and you can feel good knowing you’re doing what you should to protect yourself against oral cancer.
Who Should Get an Oral Cancer Screening?
Given the fact that more younger patients than ever are experiencing oral cancer, we recommend adult patients of all ages to have periodic screenings. People who are at a higher risk are those who smoke, are frequently exposed to UV light, have a family history of cancer, or who have had HPV — for them, routine examinations are even more important.
To conclude, there’s nothing to fear from an oral cancer screening in Simpsonville. In fact, getting one could save your life. April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, so there’s never been a better time to visit our office for your first screening!
Meet the Practice
Tylan Creek Family Dentistry offers superior dentistry services for patients of all ages. If you would like to learn more about oral cancer or to schedule an appointment for a screening during Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we invite you to book a visit by calling 864-962-6671 today!