Oral Cancer Screening

An oral cancer screening is a thorough visual and tactile examination of the mouth, lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, palate, gums, and throat. The dentist looks for any unusual lumps, sores, white or red patches, thickened tissue, or other abnormalities that could indicate precancerous or cancerous changes.

The screening takes only a few minutes and is completely painless. Dr. Jae Kwak, DDS, PhD, uses systematic inspection techniques to ensure that no area is overlooked. Palpation of the lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw may also be included, as swollen lymph nodes can be an early indicator of oral cancer.

The survival rate for oral cancer is significantly higher when the disease is detected early. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for localized oral cancer is approximately 86 percent. However, when the cancer is not detected until it has spread to distant areas, the survival rate drops dramatically. That is why routine screening is so critical, because early-stage oral cancer often presents with no pain or obvious symptoms.

Many patients are unaware that their dentist performs an oral cancer screening during routine exams. Making this screening a standard part of every dental visit ensures that changes are identified at the earliest possible stage, often before the patient notices anything unusual.

Several factors increase the risk of developing oral cancer. These include tobacco use in any form, heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), a previous history of oral cancer, and a weakened immune system. However, oral cancer can develop in patients with no known risk factors, which is why screening is recommended for all adults regardless of risk profile.

The combination of tobacco and alcohol use significantly increases risk beyond either factor alone. Patients who use tobacco products should be especially diligent about regular screenings, because their risk is substantially elevated and early detection becomes even more important.

While routine dental screenings are the most reliable method of early detection, patients should also be aware of changes in their mouths between visits. Warning signs include a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks, unexplained numbness or pain in the mouth or lips, persistent difficulty swallowing or chewing, a lump or thickening in the cheek or neck, and a change in the way the teeth fit together.

Any of these symptoms should be reported to the dentist promptly. Early evaluation of suspicious changes gives the best chance for successful treatment. Most oral changes are not cancerous, but professional evaluation is the only way to determine whether further investigation is needed.

If the dentist identifies a suspicious area during the screening, a referral for further evaluation is made. This may involve a biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is taken and analyzed under a microscope. The biopsy results determine whether the tissue is benign, precancerous, or cancerous. If cancer is confirmed, treatment options are discussed with the patient, and a specialist referral is coordinated promptly.