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Regular Oral Cancer Screenings: A Smile Saver
When it comes to oral health, problems like cavities and gum disease frequently create complications leading to tooth loss and the spread of infection over time. But oral cancer, left untreated, can lead to damage that can be fatal. A 2022 report by the Oral Cancer Foundation said the disease would cause more than 12,250 deaths that year.
The best way to survive oral cancer is through early detection. And that’s where screening to diagnose and prevent it from doing further damage come in. Let’s get the facts about this cancer, its progressive stages, and the screening process.
Dr. Elena Davidson and her dedicated team at Davidson Dental Group in San Leandro, California, offer a range of treatment options, including oral cancer screenings.
Oral cancer facts
Oral, or mouth, cancer is the most common form of head and neck cancer, most often affecting people 40 and older. However, more people younger than 40 are now being diagnosed with oral cancer.
It often first appears as sores that take longer than 2 weeks to heal. Other symptoms include:
- Rough or crusty spots on your gums, lips, or the inside of your mouth
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Tenderness in your face, neck, or mouth
- Earaches
- Numbness in your mouth
- Having a hard time chewing or swallowing
- Unexplained numbness in your mouth
- Chronic bad breath
Oral cancer starts with normal cells called squamous cells becoming cancerous when their DNA changes and they multiply. Risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Smoking and using smoke-free tobacco products
- Heavy alcohol use
- Sun exposure without the use of protection
- Family history of oral cancer
- Having the human papillomavirus (HPV)
Oral cancer stages
How this cancer develops differs depending on whether you have HPV:
Stages without HPV
- Stage 0: Tumors are on the surface layer of cells.
- Stage I: Tumors are around 2 centimeters in size and in deeper layers of cells.
- Stage II: Tumors are between 2 and 4 centimeters.
- Stage III: Tumors are either 3 centimeters or smaller or larger than 4 centimeters, and have spread to one lymph node or your epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage that covers your larynx and trachea when you swallow.
- Stage IVA: Cancer spreads to other parts of the mouth or face and may spread to more than one lymph node.
- Stage IVB: Cancer may surround lymph nodes and spread to other parts of your head and neck.
- Stage IVC: Cancer spreads to other parts of your body.
Stages with HPV
- Stage I: Tumors are 4 centimeters or smaller and may have spread to some lymph nodes, but nowhere else.
- Stage II: Tumors are larger than 4 centimeters and spread to more lymph nodes or the epiglottis.
- Stage III: Tumors are larger or spread to other parts of your mouth or face.
- Stage IV: Cancer spreads to other parts of your body.
What to expect during screenings
Prior to the screening, we take a personal and family history, gathering information about smoking and drinking habits, checking for relatives with oral cancer, and looking at any symptoms you may have or have had.
Next, a physical exam checks for suspicious growths on your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, throat, and neck. We also use state-of-the-art tools to avoid missing anything and increase our chances of finding cancer.
Oral cancer can be dangerous, but with early screenings, we can reduce your chances of it becoming fatal. Call or message Dr. Davidson and her team today to make an appointment for an oral cancer screening. We serve San Leandro, Castro Valley, Oakland, and surrounding areas of California.