Oral Cancer Screenings Torrington
Early Detection Could Save Your Life!
Every year, tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with oral cancer. Sadly, a portion of those people eventually die due to this disease. How can you avoid becoming another victim? One important step you should take is simply to attend an oral cancer screening at least once a year. Our Torrington team includes this service as part of a routine preventive checkup. We can aid you in early detection and may even help save your life! Continue reading below to learn more.
Signs & Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer may be subtle, but they can include things like:
- Difficulty or pain while chewing or swallowing.
- Lip or mouth sores that do not heal within two weeks.
- Numbness in the tongue.
- A sore throat that refuses to go away even with treatment.
- Red, white, or speckled patches of tissue.
- Thickened areas of tissue.
- Bumps or lumps in the mouth tissue, jaw, or neck.
- Unexplained changes in your voice.
- Changes in your weight or appetite.
If you have been experiencing any of the foregoing signs and symptoms of oral cancer, it is important that you visit a qualified medical practitioner for a screening right away.
What Does My Dentist Look for During an Oral Cancer Screening?
During your oral cancer screening, our team will look for the above-listed signs and symptoms. We are trained to be able to tell the difference between normal tissue and areas that might indicate the presence of cancer. We will also want to learn about your medical history so we can evaluate your risk level for oral cancer. For example, we should know about things like:
- Current and past use of tobacco.
- Your habits as they relate to the consumption of alcohol.
- Whether you have been vaccinated for HPV.
- Anything else that might offer an explanation for your symptoms.
What Can I Expect During My Screening?
An oral cancer screening is fast, painless, and non-invasive. It usually takes just a few minutes and can be included as part of your routine checkup. Our team will perform a visual and tactile examination of your mouth and the surrounding structures, such as your throat and lymph nodes.
Keep in mind that although we can make a well-educated assessment as to whether a suspicious growth might be cancer, we cannot offer any official diagnoses. If we identify any causes for concern, we can help you arrange for additional testing. You might need to undergo a biopsy, during which a medical professional will take a tissue sample so it can be analyzed for cancerous cells. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you can start to learn about your treatment options.
With early detection and intervention, localized oral cancer has a very high survival rate. Take action now if you believe you may be at-risk for this disease.