Oral Cancer Screening – Kimberly A. Rosen, DDS

The tobacco and alcohol usage that rose during the pandemic, along with weight gain, poor diet and oral hygiene and the aging population has seen oral cancer diagnoses rise for each of the past few years. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 58,450 Amer-icans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year.
Screening patients for oral cancer can help save lives. Oral cancer can be detected with a quick but thorough examination that we incorporate in each of your visits. When oral cancer is detected at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is as high as 85%. Some things What we look for in our diagnoses /screening during a patient’s regular exam.
• A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal
• A red or white patch in the mouth, on the lip or on the tongue
• A sore throat or a feeling that something is stuck in patient’s throat
• A lump or mass in the neck
• A numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth
• A swelling in the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
Additionally, we conduct an oral cancer screening when patients report difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking, difficulty moving their jaws or tongues, ear pain or changes in their voice. We check for oral cancer on these following areas :
1. Lymph nodes. Check the neck and under the lower jaw.
2. Cheeks and lips. Look for red or white patches.
3. Gums. Be aware of lumps or spots on the gums may be a sign of cancer.
4. Tongue. Pull the tongue forward and check the base and underside for any swelling or ab-normal colors or textures.
5. Palate and back of throat. Examine these areas closely for any abnormalities.
6. Floor of the mouth. Check for lumps or sensitivity.
For any questions or concerns, you may call the office of Kimberly A. Rosen, DDS @ (661)255-2545.