Oral Cancer Screening: Five Minutes to Save a Life
A routine dental visit to Kelli Brady, DDS, can save your life. Dr. Kelli Brady offers oral cancer exams in New York, NY and Norwood, New Jersey, to catch mouth cancer when it’s easily treatable. An oral cancer exam is painless and only takes five minutes, but it can save a life!
When was the last time you were screened for mouth cancer? If it’s been years, it’s never too late to put your smile on a healthy track. Visit a dentist near you and request an oral cancer exam.
Symptoms of mouth cancer
Mouth cancer primarily affects the lips, tongue, and cheeks, but it can also appear in other parts of the oral cavity. While the following symptoms may not necessarily indicate mouth cancer, it’s essential to visit your dentist for a proper diagnosis.
- Mouth sores that take too long to heal or don’t respond to treatment
- Unexplained mouth bleeding
- Unexpected weight loss
- Lumps or swellings in the mouth
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Difficulty chewing food or swallowing
- Changes in voice
- A persistent sore throat without typical accompanying symptoms
Nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed annually with oral cancer, and only half of them remain alive after five years! That’s scary, but we have some good news. If diagnosed early, oral cancer patients have 80-90% survival rate. Unfortunately, many patients are diagnosed in late stages after the disease has metastasized (spread to other areas), but this can change with regular screenings.
What to expect from oral cancer screening
A mouth cancer exam is painless, noninvasive, and fast, taking only five minutes. During the exam, the dentist visually inspects your oral cavity using an intraoral camera. The dentist looks for abnormal sores, patches, bumps, etc., that may be precancerous or cancerous.
The dentist also palpitates your throat, neck, gums, and jaws with gloved hands to feel any unusual lumps, bumps, and masses that may be cancerous. If we find abnormal signs, we may use special dyes and lights to separate unhealthy tissues from healthy ones.
It’s important to clarify that dentists don’t diagnose mouth cancer. We help identify concerning signs that may indicate cancer and recommend further evaluation. If we suspect oral cancer, we typically refer you to a specialist who will perform a biopsy to diagnose it.
Oral cancer screening near me
Regular screenings are your first defense against oral cancer, and we are here to help. If you are due for a mouth cancer exam, call (201) 806-6866 (Norwood) or (646) 692-0227 (New York) to schedule an appointment with Kelli Brady, DDS. We are happy to help you maintain healthy, cancer-free smiles.
