Here at Gregory A. Lis, DDS, we are proud to do comprehensive preventative oral cancer examinations for our patients.
It is important to have preventative oral cancer examinations, especially if you are predisposed to oral cancer, because the sooner that oral cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. Smokers and heavy drinkers are more likely to develop oral cancer, though it has been found in patients who have never smoked!
During an examination, our dentists are looking for the tell-tale signs of oral cancer. These include red and white patches and lesions in the mouth. These can be on the tongue and the floor of your mouth. They are also looking for leukoplakia, which means that you have white or gray lesions in your mouth.
We may also recommend a preventative oral cancer examination for patients who are having certain complaints like trouble swallowing or oral bleeding. Many people talk about how they notice some swelling – whether it is their face or a lump on their neck.
The C word is quite scary but we will be here for you every step of the way! Treatment usually involves surgery as the best option if the lesion is localized and able to be removed. If not, we usually recommend a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.
If you are predisposed for oral cancer or you want a preventative oral cancer examination, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (330) 673-0121.