What is oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screening is a head, neck and mouth check that looks for signs of mouth cancer before you have noticed anything yourself. It sits inside a normal dental examination and does not need a separate appointment. According to Cancer Research UK, many dentists routinely check for mouth and oropharyngeal cancer, so they are often the first people to spot the early signs.
It is not a test that gives a yes or no. Screening is a careful look and feel, and the dentist then decides whether anything needs to be monitored, checked again or referred. We state on our site that new patient exams at Maida Smiles include oral cancer screening. For the wider detail of what a check up covers, see our dental examinations.
Mouth cancer signs to look out for
Mouth cancer signs are changes in or around the mouth that last and do not settle. The NHS lists the main symptoms as follows:
- A mouth ulcer that lasts more than 3 weeks.
- A red or white patch inside the mouth.
- A lump inside the mouth, on the lip, or in the neck or throat.
- Pain inside the mouth that does not go away.
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking, or a hoarse voice that does not go away.
- Losing weight without trying.
Most mouth ulcers are harmless and heal by themselves within a week or two. The point is the timing. According to the NHS, if you have an ulcer that has lasted more than 3 weeks you should see a GP, and a dentist can also help with ulcers, lumps, patches or pain in your mouth. The Oral Health Foundation's message is simple: if in doubt, get checked out. Having a change looked at does not mean something is wrong. It means you will know.
