Prevention is your first line of defence
Oral cancer is the 13th most common cancer in Canada and results from abnormal cell growth in the mouth, lips, tongue and throat. Oral cancer can occur at any age, but people who are 45 or older are at greater risk. Certain behaviours, such as smoking, can greatly increase your risk of getting oral cancer.
Signs and symptoms
- White or dark red patches in your mouth, or on your lips or tongue
- Lumps or changes in the texture or colour of the mouth tissues
- Bleeding or numbness in the mouth; sores or patches that do not heal
- Difficulty swallowing; changes in taste or tongue sensation
Regular visits to the dentist can help keep your mouth healthy and will allow for early detection, which is often vital in fighting the disease. Simple visual screening techniques done by one of our dentists or hygienists have been known to be one of the most effective ways to achieve early diagnosis. If oral cancer is suspected, we will perform some in-depth screening that includes a biopsy of tissue from the suspected area.
Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the cancerous lesion. Chemotherapy or radiation treatments may also be recommended.
If you have any questions about oral cancer, diagnosis or treatment, call us today.