A diagnosis of any form of cancer can be very disturbing. However, what most people fail to understand is that cancer can be fought off and treated, especially if it is diagnosed at an early stage. Mouth cancer, in particular, may appear in any part of the mouth including the lips, the interior of the cheeks, the gums, the roof or floor of your mouth, as well as the tongue and tonsils. Early diagnosis is the main reason why oral cancer screenings are essential.
Mouth cancer, tends to affect people who are over 40 and statistically, men are more prone to be diagnosed with mouth cancer than women. Smokers and heavy drinkers are also more likely to develop mouth cancer, but a lot of cases will not have any previous risk factors, which is why you need to schedule for regular mouth cancer screenings at Farnham Road Dental Practice.
The earliest signs of mouth cancer may be mistaken for other problems, such as a toothache or cold. If symptoms persist for several days or weeks, it is important to see your dentist so that, if mouth cancer is present, it can be diagnosed as soon as possible. Many of these symptoms can be due to other, less serious problems, but this can only be determined by your dentist.
What to expect during a typical mouth cancer screening
A mouth cancer screening is a painless, non-invasive test that can be compared to similar screening tools used for other cancers, such as the mammogram for breast cancer. During a mouth cancer screening examination, your dentist looks inside your mouth and throat to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Your dentist will also touch the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other skin and tissue abnormalities. Mouth cancer screening is really important and it is recommended to be performed at least once a year, especially if you are at high risk of developing mouth cancer. When detected and treated early, oral cancer is curable in most cases.
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If you feel that you would benefit from a mouth cancer screening in Guilford, contact our friendly team today.