Quick Summary
Common Symptoms
- Persistent mouth sores (2+ weeks)
- Red or white patches in mouth
- Lump or thickening in mouth
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing
Treatment Options
- Regular oral cancer screenings
- Biopsy of suspicious lesions
- VELscope fluorescence screening
- Referral to oncology specialists
Oral Cancer: Screening & Detection Guide
Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat). Early detection through regular screening dramatically improves survival rates.
Risk Factors
Primary Risk Factors
- Tobacco: 85% of oral cancer cases linked to tobacco
- Alcohol: Heavy drinkers at 6x higher risk
- HPV: HPV-16 causes oropharyngeal cancers
- Age: Risk increases after 40
- Gender: Men 2x more likely than women
Secondary Risk Factors
- Sun exposure (lip cancer)
- Poor nutrition
- Weakened immune system
- Previous oral cancer
- Family history
Warning Signs
Early Symptoms
- Persistent mouth sore (2+ weeks)
- Red patch (erythroplakia)
- White patch (leukoplakia)
- Mixed red and white patch
- Unusual bleeding
Advanced Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent hoarseness
- Numbness or pain
- Swelling or lumps
- Loose teeth
- Ear pain
Screening at ORC
Comprehensive Examination
- Visual inspection: All oral tissues examined
- Palpation: Feeling for lumps or irregularities
- VELscope: Fluorescence screening for abnormal tissue
- Toluidine blue stain: Highlights suspicious areas
When to Biopsy
- Lesions persisting over 2 weeks
- Unexplained lumps
- Suspicious patches
- Patient with risk factors
Common Causes
- Tobacco use (smoking or smokeless)
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- Excessive sun exposure to lips
- Poor nutrition
- Weakened immune system
Treatment Options
- Regular oral cancer screenings
- Biopsy of suspicious lesions
- VELscope fluorescence screening
- Referral to oncology specialists
- Follow-up monitoring
- Patient education on self-examination
Oral cancer is detectable in early stages — your dentist is your first line of defense.
Patient Success Story
During a routine check-up, we detected an early suspicious lesion. Early referral and treatment led to complete recovery — the patient credits regular dental visits for saving their life.
Why Patients Trust Us
- 90% survival rate when caught early
- Tobacco & alcohol are major risk factors
- Routine screening detects early
- Painless examination
What Happens If You Delay Oral Cancer Screening & Detection?
Regular dental check-ups caught this early — a simple screening potentially saved this patient's life.
