General Dentistry
Oral Cancer Screening in Stockton, CA
Oral cancer begins with an asymptomatic stage during which the usual warning signs are not readily noticeable, which is exactly what makes a routine screening so valuable.
According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, and more than 7,000 of these cases result in the death of the patient. The encouraging part is that oral cancer can be identified with an annual oral cancer exam and treated effectively when caught in its earliest stages.
Oral cancers commonly occur in the lips, mouth, tongue, salivary glands, oropharyngeal region (throat), gums and face, areas we can see and feel directly during a routine visit.
What we look for
- Red patches and sores. Red patches on the floor of the mouth or the front and sides of the tongue, white or pink patches that fail to heal, and slow-healing sores that bleed easily.
- Leukoplakia. A hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear anywhere inside the mouth.
- Lumps. Soreness, lumps, or a general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth.
What the screening involves
The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process. There are no needles, no dyes and no discomfort.
During the visual portion we look for abnormalities throughout the mouth and throat. We then feel the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps. If abnormalities, lesions, leukoplakia or lumps are apparent, we implement a diagnostic impression and a treatment plan. Should that initial plan prove ineffective, a biopsy of the area is performed.
How often it should be done
During twice-yearly check-ups we thoroughly look for changes and lesions in the mouth. Beyond that, a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening should be performed at least once each year.
Because the early stage is asymptomatic, waiting for a symptom to appear is the one approach that does not work. If you have noticed a sore, patch or lump that has not healed within two weeks, do not wait for your next routine visit, contact the office or call (209) 951-3436.
Who should be especially attentive
Oral cancer can affect anyone, and a meaningful share of cases occur in people with no classic risk factors at all. That is one argument for screening everyone rather than only those who look high-risk.
Recognised risk factors include tobacco use in any form, heavy alcohol consumption, and sun exposure in the case of lip cancers. Risk also rises with age. None of these guarantee a problem, and their absence does not rule one out.
What to watch for between visits
We examine your mouth twice a year, as part of your routine exam and cleaning. You look at it every day, which makes you the more likely person to notice a change first.
Not every sore spot is sinister. Ulcers from a sharp filling edge, a denture that has begun to rub, or a cracked tooth irritating the tongue all produce lesions with ordinary explanations, and all of them are worth fixing anyway. What distinguishes a finding that needs investigation is persistence.
Anything that has not healed within two weeks deserves attention: a sore that bleeds easily, a white or red patch, a lump or a persistent thickening of tissue, or difficulty swallowing. If you notice one of these, do not wait for your next scheduled appointment, contact the office or call (209) 951-3436.
Why we take it seriously
Dr. Van Sicklen has cared for the Stockton community for more than 30 years, which means many patients have been seen at this practice across decades. That continuity is diagnostically useful: a change is far easier to identify when someone has a record of what your mouth looked like before.
The examination also covers ground that overlaps with other care. Soft-tissue changes are noted alongside the checks for decay and for gum disease, and patients wearing dentures are examined just as thoroughly, having no natural teeth left does not reduce the need for screening.
Further reading: the lifesaving benefits of oral cancer screenings.
Screening happens as part of your routine visit. Request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436, and tell us if you have noticed something specific.
Questions patients ask
- Is the oral cancer screening included in a routine visit?
- A soft-tissue check forms part of the examination at your twice-yearly visits, where we look for changes and lesions throughout the mouth. Beyond that, a dedicated comprehensive oral cancer screening should be performed at least once each year.
- Does the screening hurt?
- No. The oral cancer examination is a completely painless process. It involves looking carefully throughout the mouth and throat, then feeling the face, glands and neck for unusual bumps. There are no needles and no dyes.
- How long does it take?
- Only a few minutes when performed as part of an examination. The brevity is misleading about its value, because the disease it looks for produces no symptoms in its earliest and most treatable stage.
- What happens if you find something?
- Finding something is not the same as a diagnosis, and most findings turn out to be benign. We record what we have seen, agree a plan with you, and follow it up, usually by reviewing the area after a short interval, and by biopsy if it has not resolved.
Ready to get started?
Much of your first visit is spent explaining your individual treatment and getting to know you, so you can make a decision you feel good about.