Oral cancer screening
ORAL cancer screening is an examination of the head and neck region, performed by a dentist or medical doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.
Most dentists perform an examination of your mouth during a routine dental visit to screen for oral cancer. Some dentists may use additional tests to aid in identifying areas of abnormal cells in your mouth.
WHY IS ORAL CANCER SCREENING DONE?
The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage — when cancer or lesions are easiest to remove and most likely to be cured.
People with a high risk of oral cancer may be more likely to benefit from oral cancer screening. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include:
*Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others;
*Heavy alcohol use;
*Previous oral cancer diagnosis;
*History of significant sun exposure, which increases the risk of lip cancer;
*HPV exposure;
*Age (40 and over); and
*Genetics.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR ORAL CANCER SCREENING?
Oral cancer screening doesn’t require any special preparation. Oral cancer screening is typically performed during a routine dental appointment.
WHAT IS DONE DURING ORAL CANCER SCREENING?
During an oral cancer screening exam, your dentist looks over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Using gloved hands, your dentist also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities.
If you wear complete or partial dentures that are removable, your dentist or doctor will ask you to remove them so that the tissue underneath can be examined.
ADDITIONAL TESTS FOR ORAL CANCER SCREENING
Some dentists use special tests in addition to the oral exam to screen for oral cancer. It’s not clear if these tests offer any additional benefit over the oral exam. Special oral cancer screening tests may involve:
* Rinsing your mouth with a special blue dye before an exam. Abnormal cells in your mouth may take up the dye and appear blue.
* Shining a light in your mouth during an exam. The light makes healthy tissue appear dark and makes abnormal tissue appear white.
If your dentist discovers any signs of mouth cancer or precancerous lesions, he or she may recommend:
*A follow-up visit in a few weeks to see if the abnormal area is still present and note whether it has grown or changed over time.
*A biopsy procedure to remove a sample of cells for laboratory testing to determine whether cancer cells are present. Your dentist may perform the biopsy, or you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in oral cancer diagnosis and treatment.
*Toluidine blue stain: A procedure in which lesions in the mouth are coated with a blue dye. Areas that stain darker are more likely to be cancer or become cancer.
*Fluorescence staining: A procedure in which lesions in the mouth are viewed using a special light. After the patient uses a fluorescent mouth rinse, normal tissue looks different from abnormal tissue when seen under the light.
If you have questions about oral cancer, ask your dentist whether oral screening is appropriate for you. Also ask about the ways you can reduce your risk of oral cancer.
Dr Sharon Robinson DDS has offices at the Dental Place Cosmetix Spa located at Shop #5, Winchester Business Centre, 15 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Dr Robinson is an adjunct lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica, School of Oral Health Sciences. She may be contacted at 630-4710 or
visit the website www.dentalplace4u.com
