Oral cancer screening
Oral cancer screening in Miami
A few minutes of every checkup are spent looking beyond the teeth — at your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat and neck — because oral cancer is far easier to treat when it is found early.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rodolfo Rodriguez, DMD · Updated
What the screening involves
At your exam, Dr. Rodriguez looks at and gently feels your lips, gums, the inside of your cheeks, your tongue — including underneath it — the floor and roof of your mouth, and the back of your throat. He also checks your jaw and neck for lumps. It takes a few minutes and does not hurt.
Signs to watch for
- A sore or ulcer that has not healed in two weeks
- A red or white patch in the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, tongue or neck
- Pain or difficulty swallowing or chewing
- Numbness in the tongue or lips
- Hoarseness that does not go away
Most of these turn out to be something minor. But if one lasts more than two weeks, have it checked — you do not need to wait for your next cleaning.
Risk factors
Tobacco in any form and heavy drinking raise the risk most, and the two together raise it further. HPV infection is linked to cancers at the back of the throat, and years of sun raise the risk of lip cancer. Oral cancer is more common with age, but it can affect anyone, including people with none of these risks.
If something is found
Many spots are irritation that heals on its own, so we may check the area again in a couple of weeks. If it is still there, or looks suspicious, we refer you for a biopsy — the only way to know what it is — and help you arrange it.
FAQs
How often should I be screened?
How can I lower my risk?
I wear dentures. Do I still need checkups?
Terms
- Leukoplakia
- A white patch in the mouth that cannot be wiped away.
- Erythroplakia
- A red patch in the mouth, which needs to be checked promptly.
- Biopsy
- Taking a small sample of tissue to examine it under a microscope.
- HPV
- Human papillomavirus, a common virus linked to some throat cancers.
Related
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