ORAL CANCER SCREENING

Oral Cancer is on the rise in Canada, like any cancer if detected early it can be successfully treated. I provide FREE Oral Cancer Screening for each and every client at their regular dental hygiene visits. I will discuss both external and internal Oral Cancer Screening in depth.

The external oral cancer screening is where I palpate with my fingers alongside the neck and down the lymph nodes including beneath the chin and backside of neck. Lymph nodes should feel soft and spongy. However these may increase in size if someone has had the flu or sore throat. If a lymph node feels hard and does not move this would mean a referral to an Oral Surgeon immediately.

Next I will palpate outer and inner lips again checking for discoloration, lumps and bumps. With a gauze and the tongue extruded, the sides of the tongue and back corners of the tongue are examined. With the tip of tongue touching the top of the palate, the sublingual ducts are checked for changes in colour and lumps. The inside of the cheeks are also checked for any unusual findings. The back of the throat and tonsils are also inspected. The hard and soft palate (the roof of your mouth) are also assessed. If there are any unusual findings, these are shown to client and documented with shape, colour, size and exact location. In more serious conditions, an immediate referral to an Oral Surgeon for a biopsy would be scheduled.

With any type of cancer early detection and treatment can be successful in treating this dreadful disease. I am happy to offer this oral cancer screening free of charge to all of my clients at their regular hygiene visits. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care.

For more information please visit Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org>health>diagnostics>2…Oral Cancer Screening: What To Expect