Oral Cancer Screenings in Kansas City, MO
Oral cancer screenings near you at a dentist in Kansas City, MO should be done regardless of the presence of risk factors. At Smile Palace, we recommend these screenings for everyone. Patients need to understand that the overwhelming majority of people will have normal screenings.
We still recommend oral cancer screenings in Kansas City, MO because they can help save lives. If cancer is left to its own devices and grows without restrictions, it can spread to distant organs and become very difficult to treat. Alternatively, if you visit a dentist near you and cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be treated. If your oral cancer screening turns out to be negative, you can go home knowing that there’s nothing to worry about.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors
Most diseases have risk factors. These are factors that make it more likely for a person to get a certain disease. Their presence doesn’t mean you will certainly get it, and their absence doesn’t mean that you’re completely safe. It’s a matter of risk and odds.
Smoking is the most prominent risk factor of oral cancer. The risk is higher in those that smoke more frequently and have been doing it for many years. Patients who drink alcohol and have certain viral infections like HPV are also at risk. If you have a personal or a family history of oral cancer, your risk is also higher.
Oral Cancer Screenings
At Smile Palace, we know how to screen patients for oral cancer effectively. We look for irregularities in the oral cavity like masses and ulcers. Discolored areas are also suspicious and need to be investigated. After thoroughly inspecting all areas of the mouth, we’ll start to palpate it. Palpation is done using our fingers. We’ll be very gentle, and you will remain comfortable. Additionally, this only takes a few minutes.
Suspicious lesions will most likely be biopsied. If something looks benign, we can ask you to return in two weeks so we can see if it goes away on its own. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
