Oral Cancer Screenings Walnut Creek
Like any other form of cancer, oral cancer can be deadly if not treated and detected early, so at Horizons Dental we offer thorough oral cancer screenings to all of our patients.
What is Oral Cancer?
The American Cancer Society predicts more than 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2018 and, sadly, around 20 percent of those patients will die of those cancers. Thankfully, if you stay on top of your every-six-month check-up, early-stage oral cancer can be easily diagnosed and, more often than not, able to be treated successfully.
Some early signs of oral cancer include:
- Red or white spots or sores anywhere inside the mouth, especially those that bleed easily
- A thick lump or rough spot in the oral cavity
- Numbness, tenderness or pain on the lips or elsewhere in the mouth
- Trouble chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue
USA Oral Cancer Statistics
Statistics according to the American Cancer Society, 2018
Benefits of Early Detection
Cancers detected in Stage I or II are most often treated successfully, and that treatment can be provided through either surgery or radiation. In addition, most patients whose cancer is detected in these early stages will recover with little or no disfigurement after treatment.
Like other cancers, one of the great risks of late detection is the cancer’s ability to spread. If oral cancer is not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can often spread to the larynx, esophagus or lung. If you're looking for Walnut Creek oral cancer screening options, contact Horizons Dental today.