Why Oral Cancer Screening is Important

WORCESTER, Mass. - Dec. 10, 2021 - PRLog -- Many people reading this may not be aware of the importance of oral cancer screening and oral cancer tests. While this type of disease is not as well-known as its other forms, there are many reasons to make this screening a part of your yearly general health and wellness schedule. Most oral cancer screenings in Worcester, MA, are performed annually; however, every patient is unique and may require more frequent testing. Why is this testing so critical to your health? Because this type of cancer, like its many other forms, does not discriminate. Even if you are currently a non-smoker or have never been a smoker, you may still be at risk for oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Can Affect All Demographics

As mentioned, oral cancer does not only affect individuals who smoke (or have smoked in the past). Here's an alarming statistic: one in four patients who have been diagnosed with oral or mouth cancer did not have any pre-existing risk factors! Additionally, even though most individuals diagnosed with oral cancer are over the age of 40, patients of all ages are at risk. One group that is at higher risk than others is young adults that have been diagnosed with the HPV virus. The good news is that early diagnosis from a dental clinic or a dentist in Worcester, MA, can double a patient's chance of survival against this life-threatening disease.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Another alarming fact about oral cancer is that many patients don't notice any symptoms at home. That's why regular screening and testing are critical. Just as it takes special imaging equipment for doctors to diagnose other types of the disease, dentists rely on their experience and equipment to identify signs of oral cancer that patients may have not yet noticed. That said, when patients do schedule an appointment for oral cancer screening because they are symptomatic, they most often come to us because of one or more of the following:

• Red or white spots or sores in the mouth
• Lumps or bumps in the mouth
• Change in tissue structure in the mouth
• Unexplained pain or numbness in the mouth, ears, or throat

Remember, cancer cells can be present without patients experiencing any of the above symptoms. That's why it's so critical to make screening from a dentist near you a regular part of your general healthcare.

Website: https://leefamilydentalcare.net/