Each year, over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal (throat) cancers. The American Cancer Society has stated that regular dental check-ups that include an entire mouth exam are important in early detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. At Titus Dentistry, patients in the Middletown, Muncie, Pendleton, Anderson, and surrounding IN communities can rely on us to perform thorough oral cancer screenings to help detect these cancers at their earliest stages, when they are most likely to respond to treatment.
While there are certain risk factors for developing oral cancer, it is important to understand that it can occur in anyone, and screening can help identify it at an earlier, more treatable stage. People who have the following risk factors are at a higher risk for developing oral cancer:
In addition, approximately twice as many men are diagnosed with oral cancer as women; it is the eighth most common cancer in men.
An oral cancer screening is used to detect signs of both cancerous and precancerous lesions in your mouth. To screen for mouth cancer, no special preparation is necessary, and we can perform the screening during your regular check-up.
First, we perform a visual examination of your entire mouth to ensure that they all look normal and healthy. This includes checking the following areas:
During the screening, we look for any mouth sores, white or red patches, lumps, or other abnormalities, and we use gloved hands to feel for any areas that might not be visible to the eye but can be felt.
The good news is that if we do find oral cancer at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate is high – nearly 85%. If we find any areas of concern, we will talk with you about the next best steps to determine whether a follow-up visit or biopsy is needed, or we may refer you to another oral health professional. To schedule your check-up and oral cancer screening, call Titus Dentistry at (765) 358-5868!