When the average person thinks of cancer, oral cancer does not come to mind, yet it is one of the most treatable cancers in the body. Most oral cancers can be cured when they are discovered in the early stages. Unfortunately, most of them are undiagnosed until further along in development, and then most often they are less curable.
Around 20% of the general population receives oral cancer screening at their dental checkups. That leaves most of the population at risk for undetected problems. Thus, the mortality rate for oral cancers is much higher than it should be, given the curability rate of early detection.
Oral cancers do not present with pain or alarming appearances. Consequently, they can go unnoticed and undetected unless identified by a professional, like Dr. Wang. Most of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, and the average person has no idea what anomalies would indicate a problem. However, a simple oral cancer screening could save your life.
Identify Mouth Cancer Early
Screening for oral cancer takes only a few minutes. It is a painless procedure that Dr. Wang performs by examining the soft tissues in and around your mouth. Lips, tongue, cheeks and the neck are gently palpitated to determine if there are any issues developing. The VELscope® Vx Enhanced Oral Assessment System may be used to help Dr. Wang identify any soft tissue abnormalities.
Any lesions or red or white patches of tissue that do not heal within two weeks’ time could indicate a problem. If you notice any lumps or nodules in the soft tissues of your mouth or neck, you should be seen right away. Oral cancers will often look very similar to a canker sore.
Proper screening on a regular basis can prevent oral cancer from developing into a more serious problem. Engineered Smiles offers comprehensive oral care, including this life-saving screening. Contact us today to ensure that you have your oral cancer screening. Early detection of oral cancer is the key to your best chance of surviving it.
