Oral cancer screening also called a “mouth screening”, is a procedure by which the oral cavity is inspected by an experienced doctor to detect possible cancers and other abnormalities on the lining of the mouth and throat. The oral cavity is the area inside the mouth, including the lips and cheeks.
The Procedure of Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is typically conducted as a “one-visit” event. The mouth cavity is inspected with an endoscope, a thin, lighted tube that has a camera at one end. The doctor will look for changes in the color of the lining of the lips and cheeks.
The doctor will also look for any sores that won’t heal, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or throat, or any lumps inside your mouth and throat.
What to Expect During Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is a very quick procedure. The doctor will inspect the inside of your mouth with an endoscope, and the entire procedure probably won’t take more than a few minutes.
The doctor may ask you to rinse with a special mouthwash before the screening so that any bacteria in your mouth are reduced as much as possible.
Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening
i. Help you detect cancer as early as possible
By having a screening procedure, you can detect any abnormal changes in the mouth lining, which could be early symptoms of oral cancer. Prompt treatment can prevent the spread of oral cancer, and can lengthen your life. When cancer is detected early, it’s less likely to spread to other areas of the body (metastasis).
ii. Helps protect your health in the future
Many oral cancers are hard to detect when you first notice them. Early detection can help avoid later complications. By detecting oral cancer early, you can be more confident that it won’t recur and spread (metastasize) beyond the area you originally had it.
iii. Help detect other kinds of cancer
In some cases, oral cancer may be the first symptom of other cancers, such as lung or stomach cancer. Studies have shown that most people who have suffered oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancer actually had other kinds of cancer at the same time. These cancers were not detected if they were examined alone.
Who is it For?
Oral cancer screening is recommended for anyone who is 10 years and older. More than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, which causes over 4,100 deaths. Younger people have a higher chance of developing oral cancer than older people do. Because more men are diagnosed with oral cancers than women, men between the ages of 50 and 69 should have an annual screening. Women over the age of 65 should receive regular screenings at least every two years.
Oral cancer screening is an important way for you to keep your mouth healthy. It can help detect cancers that may develop in the mouth, including cancer of the mouth and throat (oropharynx), and cancer of the tonsils. By receiving a screening, you can help reduce the chance that you’ll develop cancer. As part of your oral cancer screening, ask your doctor if you need to have a dental cleaning at the same time. You may want to consider scheduling your oral cancer screenings and checkups around your dentist’s office visits so that you can go to both places on the same day.