If you’re a smoker, drink alcohol regularly, or have a history of cancer in your family, getting an oral cancer screening in Aventura can save your life. Feeling nervous about this process is understandable, but to help you overcome your fears, here’s a small guide on what you can expect from your oral cancer screening and how to prepare.
What’s an Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screenings help medical professionals detect early signs of cancer in the oral cavity. This can be found in the form of lesions or anomalies, which they will look for in the lining of your cheeks, gums, lips, tongue, and the floor and roof of your mouth.
If they find anything suspicious, they will refer you to an oral oncologist for further analysis.
How Do I Prepare for my Oral Screening?
An oral screening is a very simple procedure that does not require any previous steps. The exam can take place during a routine dental checkup and generally lasts up to 5 minutes. Your healthcare provider will use various techniques like visual examinations, palpation, and oral screening dyes to examine your mouth in detail.
What you can do is prepare mentally. If you’re suspicious of cancer, talk with your loved ones, and ask them to give you their support for the process.
Get an Oral Cancer Screening in Aventura
Oral cancer has a 68% five-year survival rate. This means that five years after receiving a diagnosis of oral cancer, only over half of those affected with the disease still live. And the reason behind this high mortality rate lies in it being discovered when it had progressed too much.
That’s why regular oral screenings for cancer are so important. If you’re in doubt, or would like to ensure your oral health, reach out!
