Why You Should Get an Oral Cancer Screening in Longview during April

April is all about enjoying the end of winter and the arrival of spring. While you’re savoring the return of warmer weather, take some time to get an oral cancer screening in Longview. Oral cancer screenings only take a few minutes. But the benefits can last for a lifetime.

Oral Cancer is a Serious Matter

Oral cancer afflicts millions of Americans. Research shows that more than 450,000 new cases are diagnosed each and every year. Left untreated, the disease can spread throughout the patient’s body. Even those who enjoy long-term recovery may suffer from permanent health problems due to their brush with the illness.

The exact causes of oral cancer are still a matter of research. However, the threat is especially prevalent among people with the following risk factors:

• Tobacco use: this includes not only cigarettes but pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: while an occasional drink might be okay, overindulging can put you at heightened risk for oral cancer.
• Severe or prolonged sun exposure: the sun’s rays cause mutations in the patient’s skin or lips that may lead to oral cancer.
• A family history of the disease: those whose parents or siblings were affected by the condition should exercise added caution to protect their health.

An Oral Cancer Screening: The First Line of Defense

Early detection is key to successfully treating oral cancer. This is why dentists and other healthcare professionals recommend regular screenings for the disease. Here’s what you can expect during the exam:

• A dentist will carefully check your face, throat, and lips for discolored patches of skin. He or she will also check your mouth, tongue, and palate for abnormalities such as lumps or sores that resist healing.
• The dentist may also use a special cancer detection device that shines a light into your mouth. If abnormal tissue is present, then the light will make it appear white.
• The dentist may also ask you to rinse your mouth with blue-tinted solution. Cancer cells are more likely than their normal counterparts to soak up the dye and reveal their presence.

If everything checks out, then you can go about your business. If the dentist notices cause for concern, then he or she may schedule a follow-up visit a few weeks later to see if the problem still exists. Another possible step is to perform a biopsy, which removes a small sample of skin cells for lab testing.

Treatments for Oral Cancer

Modern medical science has developed a number of ways to treat oral cancer. Options include:

• Surgical removal: this is the most straightforward way of dealing with the disease. It’s especially effective at dealing with tumors that are caught early.
• Chemotherapy: an oncologist (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer) administers anticancer drugs that attack the disease in a variety of ways. Some chemotherapy drugs prevent cancer cells from dividing. Others attack their ability to leach nutrients from the body.
• Radiation: this may be used as either a primary or secondary form of treatment.
• Immunotherapy: this is an innovative form of therapy that teaches the patient’s immune system to recognize and attack the disease.

Make an appointment with your dentist in Longview for an oral cancer screening in the near future. A little vigilance can pay off with big benefits for your health and well-being.

About the Author

Dr. George Stoddard has been practicing dentistry for more than 25 years. A graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, his training and experience enable him to treat a wide variety of dental and oral health concerns. You can reach his office online or by calling (903) 753-9758.