The American Cancer Society estimates that about 54,000 Americans will get oral or throat cancer this year. Fortunately, our dentist in Kalamazoo, MI, offers oral cancer screenings to catch this disease in its early stages.
During your oral cancer screening, we feel the inside of your mouth for lumps and check for any abnormalities that could indicate malignant lesions. Offering oral cancer screenings is just one of the many ways we look out for our patients.
Early Detection
Dr. Bandos knows that your chance of survival increases the earlier we’re able to detect oral and throat cancer. This is why she highly recommends our patients receive their at least once a year. Oral cancer is easier and less invasive to treat during its early stages, which is why Dr. Bandos emphasizes the importance of early detection. An oral cancer screening could save your life.
Signs of Oral Cancer
If you recognize any oral cancer symptoms from our list below, schedule an appointment for an today. During a screening, our dentist will examine your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue for abnormalities.
Oral cancer symptoms include:
- White or red patches inside mouth
- Mouth sores that don’t heal
- Lumps in or around mouth
- Pain or difficulty swallowing
- Pain or difficulty speaking
- Feeling like something is stuck in the back of your throat
- Unexplained sore throat
- Unexplained ear pain
- Unexplained bleeding inside mouth
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, men are two times more likely to get oral cancer than women. However, this doesn’t mean that women don’t need oral cancer screenings. You may have a higher risk of developing oral cancer if you have a history of using tobacco in any form, abusing alcohol, and not using sun protection on your lips. Let our dentist know if you have a family history of cancer as this may indicate a genetic predisposition for oral cancer.
Schedule Your Next Oral Cancer Screening
Dr. Katherine Bandos is proud to be your trusted dentist in Kalamazoo, MI. To schedule your next appointment and oral cancer screening, please call Kalamazoo Smiles at (269) 353-3700. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
