The Importance of Oral Cancer Screenings
Cancer has become one of the world’s leading causes of death. Even as technology improves treatment mechanisms, many people continue to die as a result of cancer. Oral cancer is one of the cancers that have a high mortality rate, owing primarily to late diagnosis.
The most effective cancer-fighting strategy is early detection. Unfortunately, very few people are diagnosed with oral cancer in its early stages. This is because few people visit their dentists regularly, let alone consider oral cancer screenings.
What Is Oral Cancer Screening?
It is a type of health examination that is performed to check your body for the presence of precancerous cells. This test is specific to the oral cavity and is used to screen for various types of oral cancer.
A dentist performs the test on multiple occasions because they have the most frequent access to your mouth. This is done during routine dental visits, especially if your doctor notices an abnormality in your mouth’s condition. However, other doctors can screen you for the same thing, as the goal is to detect any cancerous signs.
Understanding Oral Cancer
One of the factors that contribute to the dangers of oral cancer is its variety. You may believe you have control over your oral health, but you may be unaware that you have a different type of oral cancer. The most common types are:
- Lip cancer is caused primarily by excessive exposure to UV rays.
- Tumors of the tongue
- Cancer of the throat
- Gingival cancer
What Are the Benefits of Dental Cancer Screenings?
The examinations may appear unnecessary, but they are necessary for a variety of reasons, including:
- Early cancer detection – When cancer is detected early, you have a better chance of being cured than if you wait until the later stages.
- To identify risk factors – no one ever asks to be diagnosed with cancer. Some people live and die without ever being diagnosed with cancer. Others, however, get it as they get older, while others get it as they get younger. It is impossible to determine your risk levels for oral cancer without screenings.
- To prevent mouth cancer, a screening session may reveal that you are cancer-free. However, it will also be an excellent opportunity for your dentist or doctor to discuss ways to prevent cancer, particularly if you are at high risk.
Who Needs an Oral Cancer Examination?
In general, anyone can benefit from a cancer screening. Knowing you don’t have any precancerous cells is great news that will help you improve your quality of life even more. People who are at a higher risk of developing oral cancer, on the other hand, should consider getting regular screenings. Examples include:
- Smokers – Tobacco use has an impact on more than just the health of your lungs. It also increases your chances of developing mouth cancer.
- A previous cancer diagnosis – If you have previously been diagnosed with cancer, particularly cancer of the mouth, your chances of getting it again are high.
- Cancer can be passed down through families. This means that if you have a family history of oral cancer, you are at a high risk of developing it yourself.
- Heavy drinkers – alcoholism increases your chances of developing mouth cancer.
- HPV patients – Human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, has been linked to an increase in cases of oral cancer worldwide. It could be due to oral sex, but the exact cause is unknown.
Oral cancer, like many other types of cancer, can be cured if detected early. This can only be accomplished through screening sessions for your mouth. Consult your dentist or doctor if you are unsure whether you should get screening for oral cancer. Book an appointment with Restoration Smiles for Oral cancer screening in Tomball, TX.
