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Oral Cancer Screening
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| • | Sores that do not want to heal, even after two weeks. |
| • | Unusual growths on your intraoral tissues. |
| • | Red or white patches. |
| • | Your bite has changed, or the fit of your dentures has changed. |
| • | You are finding it difficult to chew, swallow, and speak. |
| • | Your chin is numb. |
| • | Using tobacco products and drinking alcohol. These habits can significantly increase your risk for oral cancer. 90% of oral cancer patients have used tobacco products while 70% to 80% of oral cancer patients have been heavy drinkers. |
| • | Certain strains of HPV. There are several strains of HPV or human papilloma virus. Just a few are linked to oral cancer, with HPV16 having the strongest connection. |
| • | Family history. If you have a close blood relative with oral cancer, your risk is higher. |
| • | Your age. The older you are, the greater your risk. Men also have a higher risk than women. Men over the age of 55 have the greatest risk. |
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Office Hours
Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday: 8 AM to 5 PM Wednesday: 8 AM to 5 PM Thursday: 8 AM to 2 PM Friday: CLOSED |
Oral cancer is the largest group of head and neck cancers that affects over 40,000 Americans every year. It is a devastating disease and can be fatal if not found and treated early. The problem, however, is that the earliest symptoms of oral cancer are easily overlooked. As a result, it is often not detected until it has progressed and is more difficult to treat. Of those diagnosed with oral cancer, only just over half live past five years after their diagnosis. At Platte Valley Dental Care, we can help to detect the presence of oral cancer in its earliest stages with oral cancer screenings.