Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral Cancer Screenings in South Bend, IN
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 54,000 Americans will get oral or throat cancer this year. The good news is that our dentist in South Bend, IN, offer oral cancer screenings to protect your overall health and well-being. This simple test can help us detect oral cancer in its earliest stages when it's most treatable, giving you the best chance for remission.
While some patients may exhibit more risk factors for oral cancer, we recommend that everyone get screened one to two times a year.
Risk Factors and Symptoms
There are a number of factors that increase your risk of developing oral cancer. These risk factors include increased alcohol and tobacco use, poor diet, a lack of oral hygiene, diabetes, and extended sun exposure. Men are also twice as likely to develop oral cancer symptoms than women.
If you recognize any of the below symptoms, it's time to schedule a throat and mouth cancer screening with our dentist. From there, he'll be able to determine your next steps. The sooner we're able to detect any possible cancer, the sooner we can get you the treatment you need.
Symptoms of Oral Cancer
- White or red patch(es) on your tongue or the tissue lining your mouth
- Difficulty swallowing, chewing, speaking, or moving your jaw
- Swelling or thickening of your mouth tissue
- Bleeding gums and persistent bad breath
- Numbness or pain in your tongue, jaw, or mouth
- Rough or scratchy voice
- Chronic sore throat
An oral cancer screening has the potential to save your life. Don't delay in calling us if you suspect you may have mouth or throat cancer.
