Many people dread going to the dentist, but how would you feel if a trip to the dentist saved your life? Oral cancer is a deadly disease and screening can literally make the difference between life and death. At City Dental Leeds we are eager to do our bit to raise awareness of oral cancer and we strongly recommend frequent check-ups and oral cancer screening tests.
About oral cancer screening
Oral cancer screening is not used to diagnose oral cancer, but it can be highly effective in flagging up potential warning signs that can then be examined in greater detail. Screening involves taking a close look at the soft tissue in the mouth and throat to check for possible signs of oral cancer. We use state of the art technology, including specially designed intra-oral cameras, to identify abnormalities in the soft tissue. Any abnormalities are highlighted and if your dentist suspects that there may be a potential risk of oral cancer they can then refer you for further tests.
About oral cancer
Oral cancer is not the most common form of cancer, but it is becoming much more prevalent in the UK and it affects more than 6,000 people every year. In the last decade alone, the number of cases has almost doubled, yet survival rates have stalled, as many people are unaware of the causes, risk factors and symptoms and this means that most cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when there is a high risk that cancer has spread.
The most common symptoms of oral cancer are slow-healing sores and mouth ulcers, abnormal lumps or swelling in the mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing and red or white patches in the mouth. If you have a mouth ulcer that lasts for longer than two weeks, we strongly recommend getting it checked out. It’s highly likely that there’s nothing to worry about, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Risk factors for oral cancer include drinking alcohol, smoking, a poor diet and exposure to certain viruses, including the HPV (human papilloma virus), which is also linked to cervical cancer.
If you would like to find out more about oral cancer or you would like to book a screening test, don’t hesitate to call us or pop in and see us if you’re nearby.
Tags: Oral Cancer Leeds, Oral cancer screening Central Leeds, Oral cancer screening City of Leeds, Oral cancer screening Leeds
