Oral Cancer Screening
Helping find any signs of potential mouth cancer early.
While it may not be as common, with around 700 new cases diagnosed in Australia each year, early detection is key to successful treatment. That’s why, during routine dental check-ups, our dentists perform careful visual and tactile inspections to check for any signs of oral cancer.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer, or mouth cancer, refers to cancers that can affect the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, and other areas within the mouth. When caught early, oral cancers have a survival rate of up to 90%. This is why it’s crucial to be proactive by regularly visiting your dentist and staying vigilant about any potential symptoms.
Common symptoms of oral cancer
It can be difficult to detect oral cancer in its early stages, but there are signs to watch out for. If you experience any of the following, it’s important to consult with your dentist:
- Persistent sores on your lips or mouth
- Unexplained lumps inside the mouth
- Pain when swallowing
- Red or white patches in your mouth
- Loose teeth without a clear cause
These symptoms don’t always indicate cancer, but your dentist can help determine the cause and, if needed, refer you to a specialist for further testing.
How does an oral cancer screening work?
If you’ve had a dental check-up recently, you’ve likely already undergone an oral cancer screening without even realising it. During your visit, your dentist will visually examine your mouth, looking for sores, discoloured patches, or other irregularities. They may also feel your neck and jaw for any lumps. If anything unusual is found, they may refer you for a biopsy to rule out or confirm the presence of cancer.
Why is it important to screen for oral cancer?
- Early Detection Increases Survival Rates: When oral cancer is caught early, treatment is often more effective, leading to survival rates as high as 90%.
- Oral Cancer Can Affect Anyone: While it’s often associated with older adults, oral cancer is becoming more common in younger people, particularly due to HPV.
- Peace of Mind: Regular screenings give you the peace of mind that any potential issues will be caught early, ensuring the best chance for effective treatment.
Keep up with your regular dental check-ups to ensure a professional is always on the lookout for any early warning signs. Contact our friendly team today to book your next appointment.
Schedule your oral cancer screening today
At 818 Dental, we perform oral cancer checks during each routine examination. These checks are vital in spotting any early signs of cancer so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
If you’ve noticed any unusual lumps or lesions in your mouth that have lasted more than two weeks, or if swallowing has become difficult, please let your dentist know right away.
Frequently asked questions
Mouth cancer is often first detected by dentists, who are on the lookout for any unusual signs in the mouth during your routine dental check-ups. This can be red or white patches in the mouth, uneven tonsils, loose teeth, or sores that won’t heal. You may even be able to spot some of these signs for yourself if you know what to look for, especially if something in your mouth is causing you pain.
Whether you or your dentist first notice the signs, they will refer you to a specialist to have a biopsy of the tissue taken. This will either rule out cancer or confirm the presence of cancerous cells so you can begin treatment immediately.
When discovered and treated early, the prognosis for mouth cancer is positive. The five-year survival rate for oral cancers that are caught and treated early varies from about 60% to 90%, depending on the type of cancer.
As the cancer spreads, the survival rate begins to drop, so the sooner it is discovered and treated, the better.
It depends on the type of cancer, however as most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, they do tend to spread quickly. It will begin by spreading to nearby structures, such as the rest of the mouth and head, before spreading to the rest of the body. A prognosis for a five-year survival rate is usually given based on how far the cancer has spread.