Oral Cancer Screening
Naperville, IL
Oral Cancer Screening provided by Dr. Michael Scherer
in Naperville, IL at Wheaton Oral Surgery
 While oral cancer does not get nearly as much coverage as breast cancer, prostate cancer, or colon cancer, it strikes 55,000 people in the United States each year. Oral cancer can not only affect your overall life expectancy, it can also be very disfiguring. The earlier our Dr. Scherer finds oral cancer, the better your recovery outlook will be. Here is some information from Wheaton Oral Surgery about why it is so important for you to have a yearly oral cancer screening.
About Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a group of cancers that represent about three percent of all diagnosed cancers each year. While other forms of cancer are difficult to see using only your eyes because they occur inside the body, oral cancer appears on your tongue, the underside of your tongue, the inside of your cheek, your gums, and your palate. Oral cancer is more common in men than women, perhaps because they use tobacco and alcohol at a higher rate than women. Also, the older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with oral cancer.
Am I at Risk for Oral Cancer?
Like many cancers, oral cancer has risk factors that increase the likelihood you will develop cancerous lesions. Perhaps the largest risk factor for oral cancer is tobacco use. Scientists believe the chemicals in tobacco mutate the cells in your mouth, which will eventually develop into oral cancer. It does not appear to matter what type of tobacco product you use. Whether you vape, smoke, or chew tobacco, you are putting chemicals in your mouth that can cause cell damage. The more tobacco you use, the more likely you are to get oral cancer, and your risk only increases as you age.
Another risk factor for oral cancer is alcohol consumption. While having a drink occasionally in moderation is acceptable, if you frequently drink heavily, you are more at risk for oral cancer. Researchers believe that, like tobacco, the chemicals in alcohol can mutate cells in your mouth, so the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of cancer is. Just like tobacco, your risk for cancer due to alcohol consumption continues to rise the older you are.
While genetics can play a role in the chance you will get oral cancer, there is one other factor that increases your risk. If you have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV), you are more likely to have oral cancer. HPV is a group of viruses spread through sexual activity. Researchers estimate that nearly 80 percent of women over fifty have had an HPV infection, and half of the adult population will get HPV during their lifetime. HPV can not only cause oral cancer, but it can also cause genital and anal cancers as well.
Mouth Cancer Detection
Oral cancer is alarming, but your best defense against oral cancer is an oral cavity examination and an oral cancer screening at your dentist check-up. Early detection is crucial for your oral health as well as your overall health.
Your first step to ensure your oral health is to let our office and Dr. Scherer know that you would like an oral cancer screening because you have one or more risk factors for oral cancer. After your X-rays, our dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth just as they do each time you have your biannual dental exam. While they are cleaning and polishing your teeth, the hygienist will examine your mouth for anything that looks out of place and make a note of it for Dr. Scherer to check.
Dr. Scherer will thoroughly check your mouth cavity for any signs of oral cancer. Some of the signs Dr. Scherer looks for include lesions, patches, or bumps in your mouth, as well as loose teeth. You may have mouth pain and ear pain as well. Be sure to let Dr. Scherer know if you have weight loss that cannot be explained or if you experience bleeding in your mouth for no apparent reason.
How Do Dentists Screen for Oral Cancer?
Dr. Scherer has several ways to screen for oral cancer besides an examination. He will poke and prod any suspicious area in your mouth, looking for any tender areas, as well as suspicious lumps or bumps.
If Dr. Scherer spots something he is not sure of during your dental exam, he may do additional testing. For example, if he sees something that looks like a patch of skin that seems out of place, he may want to inspect it further using a light source that can distinguish normal cells from cancerous ones. Some dentists use a special blue rinse that can stain cancerous cells a dark blue to contrast them with the white or light blue color of normal cells. That way, no matter how small the cancer is, it will be easier to spot and begin treatment.
Dr. Scherer might also take a small sample of the suspicious cells to send to the lab for testing. That way, you and Dr. Scherer will know without a doubt whether you have cancer.
What Happens After My Oral Cancer Screening?
If your oral cancer screening does not show any abnormal cells, you will not need to do anything else except continue to have regular screenings when you visit us. If Wheaton Oral Surgery suspects you may have cancerous cells, he may ask for additional testing, such as scans and blood work. Because cancer is such a scary word for many people, we know you want to make absolutely sure you are cancer-free.
Remember that 70 percent of all oral cancer patients live five years or longer after their diagnosis, so the earlier you get screened for oral cancer, the more likely you are to get a victory over this horrible disease. You and Wheaton Oral Surgery can determine the course of treatment that is right for you, your health, and the type of cancer you have.
Schedule with Your Oral Surgeon in Naperville, IL Today!
Are you worried that you may have oral cancer? It is time to put your mind at ease. Call Wheaton Oral Surgery at (331) 204-0314 to make an appointment. That way, we can begin the process of screening you for oral cancer as soon as possible. Reach out to our office today. |
