Why are Oral Cancer Screenings Important?
When it comes to oral cancer, it is important to know the facts:
Within every hour of every 24-hour day, a person dies of oral cancer.
Over 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Of those, only 57% will still be alive in 5 years.
Oral cancer is treatable and not hard to diagnose. The problem is that most patients don't notice it until it has reach an advanced stage.
(Reference: oralcancerfoundation.org)
Dentists & Oral Cancer Screenings
Dentists are the front line of support for screening patients for oral cancer. During your routine dental check-ups at Premier Family Dentistry, general and family dentist Dr. Joseph Zanthos will look for early warning signs of oral cancer or suspicious conditions that should be evaluated further to rule out oral cancer.
Oral Cancer Symptoms to stay on the lookout for include:
- A bump or lesion that does not go away after 14 days
- Chronic sore throat or feeling there is something stuck in the throat
- Discolorations or rough patches on the inside of the cheek
- A lump or mass inside the mouth or on the neck
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent earache
If you are experiencing these or other unusual oral symptoms, please Contact Dr. Zanthos or your physician. Early detection of oral cancer saves lives.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Oral Cancer
A diagnosis of oral cancer is confirmed by a biopsy and review by a pathologist. If Dr. Zanthos identifies any suspicious areas in the mouth during a dental examination, he may refer the patient to an oral surgeon or medical professional for biopsy and further testing.
Oral cancer is treated like other forms of cancer by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. The key to becoming cancer-free is early diagnosis. Because dentists typically see their patients every 6 months for routine preventive care, they have the opportunity to identify possible cancer symptoms early.
If you have not seen a dentist in over 6 months, we recommend that you schedule an appointment for a complete dental examination and oral cancer screening.
Contact Premier Family Dentistry of Alabaster to schedule an appointment.