The signs and symptoms of oral cancer
Oral cancer involves abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. When detected early, oral cancers have a high rate of successful treatment. People over the age of 45 are at greatest risk, but regardless of your age, you should consider oral cancer screening if you notice any of the following:
- Discoloured patches inside your mouth or on your lips, including white or dark red spots
- Unusual lumps or changes in texture
- Sores that will not heal, numb patches, or persistent bleeding
- Changes in your tongue’s feeling, altered sense of taste, or difficulty swallowing
The risk factors for oral cancer
Several behaviours and conditions increase the risk of oral cancer, including:
- Smoking or using tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Drinking alcohol heavily or moderately, especially when combined with tobacco use
- Possible infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in the mouth
- Excessive sun exposure, including lifestyle factors that involve lots of time outdoors
- Poor diet or eating habits
- Family history of oral cancer
- Oral cancer is more common in men than women
- History of leukoplakia, a thick white patch inside the mouth
Prevention, detection, and treatment of oral cancer
Treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the cancer and is planned on a case by case basis.
Spotting early signs of cancer
The goal of oral cancer screening is early detection of cancer or pre cancerous conditions. During your exam, a Dentist in Vancouver will examine the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. They will also feel the tissues in your mouth for lumps or unusual textures and may check your throat and neck for lumps.
Diagnosis and treatment
If signs of cancer are found during screening, further testing may be needed. This can include a biopsy, where a small tissue sample is sent to a lab, or imaging tests such as X rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI. Treatment for confirmed cancer might involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Prevention of oral cancer
You can take steps now to reduce your risk of oral cancer:
- Visit your dentist regularly for exams
- Stop using tobacco products and drink alcohol responsibly
- Protect your lips from the sun using UV blocking lip balms
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- During your daily oral care routine, check your mouth for any unusual signs or symptoms and report them to your dentist promptly
Prevention, detection and treatment of oral cancer
Treatment will be planned on a case by case basis and will heavily depend on the severity, type and location of the suspected cancer.Spotting early signs of cancer
The goal of an oral cancer screening is the early detection of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. During the exam, your dentist will look over the inside of your mouth and under your tongue for red or white patches or suspicious sores. Your dentist will also feel the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or odd textures and may also feel the outside of your throat and neck for lumps.
Diagnosis and treatment
If signs of cancer are detected during your oral screening you may be asked to undergo additional testing such as a biopsy (where a small piece of the suspicious tissue is removed for lab examination) or imaging tests like Xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans or an MRI. To remove confirmed tumours, surgery or chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary.
Prevention of oral cancer
You can take steps now to help prevent oral cancer later. To help reduce your risk of oral cancer see your dentist regularly for routine exams, stop using tobacco products and drink responsibly, be mindful of your exposure to direct sunlight and use U/V protective lip balms, eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and veggies and during your routine brushing and flossing rituals, remember to check your mouth for signs or symptoms so that you can report any concerns to your dentist.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any risk factors or notice unusual patches, lumps, or sores in your mouth, it is wise to ask for oral cancer screening during your dental exam.
Your dentist will carefully examine your lips, inside of your mouth including cheeks, gums, and all sides of your tongue. They will feel for lumps or unusual textures and may check your face, jaw, throat, and neck for tenderness or lumps.
Wash your hands with warm soapy water. In front of a mirror, examine your mouth’s roof, lips, tongue, and gums. Pull your upper lip up and lower lip down to check behind them. Use gauze or a cotton pad to grip your tongue and check its sides and underside. Feel inside your mouth for lumps, bumps, changes in colour, texture, or tenderness. Report any sores that do not heal after two weeks to your dentist.
Small, usually painless, flat patches that may be red, white, grey, or yellow with red edges. These patches can appear on any part of the mouth including lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, and roof of the mouth. Any unusual spot or patch should be checked by a doctor or Dentist in Vancouver.
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