Oral Cancer Screenings in Spirit Lake, IA
You may have heard about oral cancer since it’s been on the rise in recent years. More alarming than its increasing occurrence is that it can affect everyone – even if you’ve never smoked before. And possibly more disturbing is that oral cancer, like many other forms of cancer, can be present without a patient experiencing any symptoms.
Fortunately, our dentists in Spirit Lake, IA, at Great Lakes Dental Associates include visual, oral cancer screenings near you as a part of every dental exam and cleaning appointment. Why is this important? The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that the death rate for this type of cancer is high for one reason: because the cancer is typically discovered late in its development.
Instead of having to worry about that unknown, we invite you to book an appointment today with our dentists near you at Great Lakes Dental Associates for an exam where you’ll receive an oral cancer screening as a part of that appointment.
Oral Cancer is Not Age-Specific
Another common misconception about oral cancer is that it only affects mature or older patients. This faulty thinking does not take into. The Oral Cancer Foundation also reports that a younger demographic – including those who have never smoked or used vaping products – has cause to be concerned due to the increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has been linked to an increased incidence of oral cancer among young, non-smoking oropharyngeal cancer patients.
When you bring your teen to our dentists near you for their dental exam or professional cleaning appointment, our dental care team will perform a visual cancer screening as a part of that appointment. It will take less than five minutes, and most patients don’t even realize it’s being conducted.
Symptoms that You May Notice
As mentioned, this type of cancer can often be present without any easily recognizable symptoms. However, if you notice unusual lumps or bumps in your oral cavity or red and rough areas on your gum tissue, those are signs that oral cancer may be present. Our dentists can conduct an oral cancer screening as a stand-alone appointment when specific symptoms such as these are present.
