As you get older, your chances of mouth and oral cancers increase. These cancers grow quickly and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. They are also directly linked to people’s lifestyles, and the number of cases is on the rise. Smoking and alcohol are factors in oral cancer along with other causes.

At Amsel and Wilkins we routinely  include this screening as part of your dental examination.  Anyone over about the age of 35 should have a mouth cancer screening once a year, we are promoting mouth cancer screening in November this year, as it is Mouth Cancer Action Month.

You don’t necessarily have to come to us for a screening in November, but you need to make sure you have a screening some time during the coming year.

 What happens during a screening?

We take a careful look at your lips and inside your mouth. We will use a small angled mirror so that we can take a good look at your tongue and underneath it, the back of your throat, your lips, your gums and the inside of your cheeks. We will also feel with our fingers into your neck and chin.

We will be looking for any unusual lumps and bumps or lesions. We will also want to know if you have noticed any problems, not just lumps and ulcers that won’t heal, but any recent changes to your voice, such as hoarseness.

Who gets mouth cancer?

Mouth cancer is directly linked to smoking and to alcohol use. It is also linked to a poor diet (not enough fruit and veg), and obesity and also the HPV virus.

Treatment

Although mouth cancers are fast growing, if caught early they are eminently treatable, which is why we encourage you to come for check-ups at least once a year. But if, between check-ups, you notice something that is not right and doesn’t clear up after 3 weeks, come and see us anyway. We can do a check, and, if at all necessary, send you for treatment.

A mouth cancer screening in Banbury at Amsel & Wilkins is vital to inform our patients about the actual status of their dental health, particularly if they are anxious about certain symptoms and signs that could be associated with oral cancers.

We offer mouth cancer screenings to any of our patients to set their mind and emotions at ease, and to plan for further dental therapy as may be needed.

Do they take a long time?

Mouth cancer screenings can be done within five minutes. Even during a short visit, we can gather a lot of information through a comprehensive visual and manual examination. Additional time may be required but this is on a case-to-case basis and not always necessary.

Oral cancer can be the cause of any changes in face shape and other possible symptoms, such as facial paralysis, unusual patches or growths on the lips, tongue, gums, and throat. As well as these symptoms, dizzy spells, unexplainable weight loss, lack of appetite, difficulty in swallowing and swollen lymph nodes could all be signs of something a little more sinister occurring in your mouth.

Mouth cancer screening before symptoms appear can greatly help patients who are nervous about the possibility of having cancer, and can put their mind at rest.

How the screening is performed

To perform an oral cancer screening, our dentist will firstly take your medical and dental history. This will include an evaluation of your lifestyle habits such as smoking, as this can encourage the development of growths in your oral cavity or its nearby areas such as the head or the neck.

Next, we will carefully but comprehensively run their hands over your neck, mouth area, face, head and areas where your lymph nodes are found, to determine if any lumps or abnormal growths are present.

Should we find anything unusual, an additional screening may be recommended. We may discuss your situation with another medical health professional to find out the cause of the abnormalities. If oral cancer has been ruled out, we will proceed to address any issues encountered during the screening and aim to resolve them as soon as possible.