Oral cancer (cancer located within the mouth) is the 6th most commonly found cancer. The vast majority of oral cancers occur in people older than 45 years, with men being twice as likely as women to develop the disease. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death.
Oral cancer if found in it’s early stages can be treated very easily and successfully, especially when compared to many other forms of cancer. If found in its late stages oral cancer is very difficult to treat and extremely deadly.
Routine dental exams should always include an oral cancer screening to catch these problems in the early stages. A screening should include a minimum of looking for any abnormalities in the mouth including the inner cheek, the roof of the mouth, under and on top of the tongue, and on the floor of the mouth. The lymph nodes should be checked for any irregular lumps around the neck and face too.
