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Posts Tagged ‘Oral cancer screening Central Leeds’

The Importance of an Oral Cancer Screening

Thursday, August 4th, 2016

585804_blogWhen thinking about cancer, many forget about the dangers of oral cancer and even more forget that your dentist should be the first stop to diagnosis the disease.

About oral cancer

Oral cancer usually starts off in the mouth as a small spot or sore. These are commonly white or red and can be located in any part of the mouth. If untreated, these sores can affect any area of your mouth, including your gum tissues, tongue, palate, lips and lining of the cheeks. Oral cancer also occurs more regularly in people who smoke and if you combine this with consumption of alcohol, you greatly increase your risk of developing the disease. Signs of oral cancer may include:

  • Colour changes in your oral tissue
  • Difficulty with chewing, speaking, swallowing or moving your jaw and tongue
  • Sores in the mouth that easily bleed and do not heal
  • Lumps or thickening rough spots
  • Small eroded areas in the mouth
  • Pain, tenderness or numbness on the lips and inside of the mouth

Oral cancer screening

By visiting your dentist more regularly you can significantly decrease your chances of suffering with oral cancer, as screenings are part of your routine dental examination. It is therefore important that you have regular full mouth check-ups, so your dentist can detect the early stages of cancer and treat it.  Some spots or sores located in the mouth may not be cancer, but it is always best to check just in case and your dentist will perform a brush test to ensure the sore or spot is not dangerous. If anything is found to be wrong with the sore then it will be removed in a separate procedure, but it is important to know that positive results from the brush test will be confirmed first by incisional biopsy and histology.

Remember, it is important to visit your dentist for an oral cancer check-up, as on average only half of those diagnosed with oral cancer will survive past five years. However, oral cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if found at an early stage.

Why Oral Screening is Important

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

585811_blogNovember is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month and we are determined to do everything we can to raise awareness of the importance of oral screening in Leeds. It sounds extreme to say a trip to the dentist could save your life, but with screening, this really is the case.

About screening

Screening is carried out to identify early warnings signs of dental diseases. We are able to use the latest technology to spot potential signs of dental decay and oral cancer before they become visible to the naked eye. In the case of oral cancer, the time of diagnosis is particularly important, as cancer can progress very quickly and the earlier it is treated, the higher the chance of survival.

Screening is nothing to be frightened of or worried about. The tests take minutes and there is no pain involved. In the unlikely event that potential problems are detected, further tests can be arranged and any treatment required can be administered as quickly as possible.

Looking out for signs of oral cancer

Although oral cancer affects more than 6,000 people in the UK every year, surveys suggest that many people are still unaware of what causes oral cancer and which symptoms to look out for. The main risk factors include drinking alcohol on a regular basis, smoking, a poor diet and HPV (human papilloma virus) infection. Symptoms to be wary of include any abnormal lumps or swelling in the mouth, mouth ulcers and sores that take a long time to heal, a persistent sore throat and difficulty swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to get checked out by your dentist or your GP.

If you’d like to find out more about our screening services or learn more about oral cancer, please don’t hesitate to call us and book an appointment.

Oral Cancer Diagnosed Early in Leeds

Friday, October 16th, 2015

3708143_blogLeeds dentists are fully trained to spot early signs of oral cancer

Dentists are not only trained to spot and diagnose problems with your teeth and gums, such as tooth decay and gum disease, they are also fully trained to notice the early indicators of oral cancer.  This cancer is treatable if found in its initial stages and has a high survival rate, but can be fatal.  Oral cancer is another reason why you should be sure to visit your dentist every six months.

You are at higher risk of contracting oral cancer if you are a man, as they are twice as likely to develop the disease as women.  Other high risk groups include those who smoke tobacco and drink alcohol, but about one in every four oral cancer patients are either women or people who don’t smoke or drink.  Even if you are not in a high risk group you should still be vigilant about oral cancer.

If you find small swellings in your mouth or patches that are rusty then you should report this to your dentist.  Any bleeding from the mouth might be an early sign of oral cancer and these symptoms are sometimes accompanied by sudden weight loss or difficulty and pain in the mouth while eating.

Your dentist is best placed to examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer at your six month check ups but you can use your finger to examine your mouth at home for swellings and look in the mirror for discoloured patches.

Looking for a cosmetic dentist? City of London dentists are here to help

Ask your City Dental Leeds dentist for more information about how to guard against oral cancer. Methods include ceasing the smoking of tobacco, cutting down alcohol consumption and keeping your diet healthy.

How an Oral Cancer Screening Could Save Your Life

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

658156_blogMany 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.

How Does Smoking Affect My Oral Health

Thursday, May 7th, 2015

383291_blogMany people are aware of the link between smoking and general health conditions, such as strokes, respiratory diseases and lung cancer, but have you ever stopped to think how smoking could impact your oral health?

Smoking and oral health

Smoking has negative implications for both general and oral health. Smoking affects the aesthetic of the smile as well as increasing the risk of potentially serious oral diseases.

Smoking and gum disease

Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease because smokers are prone to plaque development. Plaque is a sticky film made from saliva, food debris and bacteria, which is the main risk factor for gum disease and decay. Smokers are also more likely to develop advanced gum disease, as smoking makes the symptoms worse. This is because smoking reduces blood flow (and subsequently, the transportation of oxygen) to the gums, increasing recovery times and slowing down the healing process.

Smoking and oral cancer

Smoking is a major risk factor for oral cancer, a form of cancer that affects the soft tissue in the mouth and throat. People who smoke are up to five times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers. If you smoke and drink alcohol on a regular basis, this increases to 30 times. Cancer Research UK estimates that 65 percent of cases of oral and pharyngeal cancers are associated with smoking.

Smoking and bad breath

Smoking is one of the most common causes of bad breath, also known as halitosis. It can also contribute to stained teeth, which look unhealthy and unattractive.

Quitting smoking

If you would like advice on how to quit smoking, we would be happy to help. We are here to provide information and offer support and reassurance to help you give up for good. Our dentists and dental hygienists have extensive experience in this field, so why not give us a call and book a consultation?

Six Facts About Oral Cancer

Monday, March 23rd, 2015

585804_blogAt City Dental Leeds, we are determined to fight oral cancer and we urge all our patients to keep up to date with dental checks and oral cancer screening. Like many forms of cancer, the earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of survival. Here are six facts about oral cancer:

  • More than 6,800 people are diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the UK. This works out at more than 18 people every day.
  • Oral cancer is much more common in men than women. According to Cancer Research UK statistics for 2011, 4,510 cases were diagnosed in men, compared to 2,257 in women.
  • Oral cancer is becoming more common. Studies and statistics show that the number of cases has almost doubled in the last 10 years.
  • The main risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, drinking, exposure to radiation and other occupational environmental hazards. Around 65 percent of cases are linked to smoking and 91 percent of cases are linked to lifestyle factors.
  • Eating a healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables can help to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer. A poor diet and insufficient intake of important nutrients contained in fruits and vegetables are linked to more than 50 percent of oral cancer cases in the UK.
  • The most common signs of oral cancer include persistent and slow-healing sores in the mouth or throat, a lump or swelling in the mouth or throat and red or white patches in the mouth. Other signs may include a persistent sore throat and difficulty swallowing.

If you have any questions about oral cancer or you’d like to book a screening test, don’t hesitate to call us. Screening checks are comfortable and they take just a few minutes. We simply use an advanced camera to look inside the mouth and check for any potential signs. Screening is important because it flags up potential abnormalities that may not yet be visible to the human eye.

Screening for Oral Cancer This Easter

Tuesday, March 10th, 2015

4843159_blogThis Easter, you may be busily Easter egg hunts or days out, but spare a moment for your health. Oral cancer screening takes just a few minutes, but it could save your life. Don’t delay, call and book your appointment today.

About oral cancer

Oral cancer is an increasingly common form of cancer found in the soft tissue in the mouth and throat. Last year, more than 6,000 people were affected by oral cancer in the UK and the numbers are rising year on year. The main risk factors for oral cancer include drinking alcohol, smoking and HPV infection (human papilloma virus). If you smoke and drink heavily or frequently, you are more than 30 times more likely to develop oral cancer than a non-smoker who drinks infrequently.

Sometimes, oral cancer doesn’t cause obvious symptoms, but potential warning signs to look out for include red or white patches in the mouth, lumps or swelling and ulcers or sores that take a long time to heal (more than 2 weeks).

Why is screening important?

Screening is incredibly important because it can help to ensure that treatment is provided at an early stage, when the chances of survival are much higher. If cancerous cells spread and cancer becomes more aggressive, the chances of survival decrease. Sadly, at the moment most cases are diagnosed at a late stage and consequently, survival rates for this type of cancer have stalled. With screening, we can spot signs before they become visible to the human eye and this facilitates diagnosis and treatment at a very early stage.

Screening is nothing to panic or worry about. There’s no discomfort at all and we simply use a state of the art camera to look into the mouth and detect abnormal changes in the soft tissue. The test doesn’t take long and it may give you peace of mind.

                                                                                                          

How Oral Cancer Screening can Mean the Difference Between Life and Death

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

944335_blogIt may sound dramatic and far-fetched to say that a trip to the dentist could save your life, but with oral cancer screening, this really is the case. We are eager to encourage as many of our patients as possible to undergo screening in order to ensure that any potential signs or symptoms can be spotted at the earliest stage. Screening takes just a few minutes, but it can really make the difference between life and death.

About oral cancer

Oral cancer is found in the soft tissue inside the mouth and throat. Although it is relatively unknown compared to some other forms of cancer, it is actually becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK and it kills more people every year than cervical and testicular cancer combined. In the last ten years, the number of cases has almost doubled and experts predict that this is a trend that will continue in the future.

The main symptoms of oral cancer include:

  • slow-healing ulcers and mouth sores
  • abnormal swelling and lumps
  • difficulty swallowing
  • a persistent sort throat
  • red or white patches in the mouth

There have been major advances in cancer treatment in recent years, but in the case of oral cancer there has been little improvement in survival rates. This is largely due to the fact that many people are not diagnosed until an advanced stage where there is a high risk that cancerous cells have already spread.

Why is screening important?

Symptoms of oral cancer can be hard to spot and this is why screening is so important. With screening, we use the latest technology to spot early changes in the tissue, which may be early indicators of cancer. Once these changes have been identified, further tests can be arranged and a diagnosis can be confirmed or ruled out. Early diagnosis can have a radical impact on survival chances, increasing rates from less than 50 percent up to over 90 percent.

What happens when you have an oral cancer screening test?

Oral cancer screening is quick, painless and very simple. We use specially designed technology to look inside the mouth and identify abnormal changes in the tissue, which are highlighted using different shades of light. The test takes just a few minutes and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort at all.

Call us now to book your oral screening test.

Horrible Oral Cancer in Central Leeds

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

The number of people that have been diagnosed with oral cancer is on the increase in central Leeds which rather makes the disease difficult to isolate and cure altogether. A lot of the reasons only seem to be conjecture as it can strike one person and not another, even if they live identical lives. Yet, the way some of us live our lives has been considered to be conducive to the disease; our dietary habits, stress, poor oral hygiene, smoking and drinking- all of which are considered to be contributory to the problem, and if we tend to be care-free and lazy, we’d probably overlook issues in the mouth until it was too late- which is the most important element in fighting the disease- early diagnosis. We should know when something feels or tastes ‘off’ in the mouth and should get any problem looked at immediately, things like repetitive sore throats and ulcers, neck and ear aches, sores on the lips. It is so easy to get checked out, all you need to do is get down to the dentists or the doctors and after a few tests, a diagnosis can be made. If your worst fears are realised, then deciding on how advanced the problem is, you will have either of three types of surgery, radio, chemotherapy or physical surgery in order to remove the problem. It won’t be easy and the recovery period will be a delicate time- things will have to change, possibly the way you live your whole life, but a lot more people are coming through this illness smiling and with a lot of care and support, oral cancer can be beaten