Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening

Our goal is to detect and diagnose oral cancer as soon as we possibly can. Early detection is the greatest way to fight any type of cancer. The sooner we are able to diagnose you, the sooner we can treat you. We check for oral cancer whenever you come into our office for a complete dental exam. When patients come in with symptoms of bleeding, pain, dysphagia or otalgia, in a matter of minutes, we examine their neck and mouth for head cancers. This short exam can potentially save your life.

Nearly 37,000 American suffer from oral cancer each year and only 57% of them will be alive five years after their diagnosis. Oral cancer has a high death rate not because it’s hard to find, but because individuals are diagnosed in late stages after it has already metastasized. Many people are simply not getting checked for oral cancer. You play a crucial role in detecting oral cancer early on. Schedule routine checkups with our office so we can screen for oral cancer regularly and combat it before it manifests. If you experience any changes in between visits or experience the symptoms below, contact Dr. Sachdev and his team.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms to look for at home in between visits:

Sore that doesn't heal in 2-3 weeks
Red, white or blue patch
Lump or thickening in cheek
Numbness in mouth that didn't used to be there
Swelling that causes dentures not to fit properly (not to be confused with a denture sore)

While these symptoms can be associated with other, less severe issues, it is important to monitor them and be seen by a professional.

Risk Factors

Alcohol and tobacco use
Human Papilloma Virus
Unknown (5%) -- Genetics suspected

Until recently, almost 75% of oral cancer was directly associated with alcohol and tobacco use and seen in the individuals 50 years and older. As of recent, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has changed this pattern, affecting young, non-smoking individuals, making people 20 years and over at risk regardless if they smoke or not.