Oral Cancer Screening Eugene OR
The word cancer can turn someone's life upside down and is the scariest thing someone can tell you. Not paying attention to symptoms of oral cancer can be the difference between healing and losing the battle. Here at Higbee Family Dentistry, we take our responsibility of helping you prevent cancer seriously by performing a thorough visual examination of the oral cavity when you come in for your regular checkups.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer affects anything inside the oral cavity including the lips, cheeks, throat, tongue, gums, hard tissue, floor, and roof of the mouth. As with any other cancer, early detection can increase the likelihood of successfully treating the life-threatening disease.
Some of the most common signs of oral cancer are:
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A sore that doesn't heal in two weeks
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A persistent sore or scratchy throat
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Red, white, or dark patches that don't go away in two weeks
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Bleeding in the gums or another area of the mouth
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Bumps and lumps anywhere in the mouth
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Rough or crusty spots on the lips or gums
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Numbness or loss of feeling in the neck, mouth, or face
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Soreness of the face
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The sense that something is stuck in the back of the throat
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Difficulty swallowing or biting down
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Changes in the way the bite feels
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Earaches
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Loose fitting dentures
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Weight loss |
The problem with some of these symptoms is that they are similar to other less severe conditions. Jaw pain or earache can be linked to many other diseases including temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), loose-fitting dentures, and changes in the way the bite feels can be the result of bone reduction, and periodontal disease could cause bleeding.
We will identify many of these symptoms, but it is essential that you let us know if any of these signs concern you and we will monitor you more closely.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Oral cancer can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors could increase your chances of developing this disease. These factors include:
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Smoking or chewing tobacco
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Heavy drinking
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Genetics or family history of oral cancer
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Gender
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Age
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Diet
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Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun
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HPV or human papillomavirus |
According to public data, more than 25-percent of all oral cancers happen to people who are not smokers and only drink alcohol occasionally.
Oral Cancer Treatment
Oral cancer can be treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery is also an option, depending on the area affected and the severity of the disease.
As with other types of cancer, early detection is imperative, and this is why we perform routine visual examinations of every part of your mouth and lips during your checkups. Moreover, quitting bad habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can help you prevent getting oral cancer.
One of our primary goals here at Higbee Family Dentistry is to keep you healthy and free of disease with education and regular visits. If you have any concerns about oral cancer or are suffering from any symptoms of the condition, please call us at (541) 342-1187 immediately.
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