Oral Cancer Screening
Experience our dedicated Oral Cancer Screening at Dovehouse Dental in Solihull.
Detecting oral cancer early is crucial, and our experienced dentists play a vital role in informing patients about risk factors.
Call us today to schedule your screening and let us assist you in every way possible. Your well-being is our priority.
Patient Plans
Spread the cost of your routine dental treatment with one of our patient plans.
Patient Plans
Spread the cost of your routine dental treatment with one of our patient plans.
Dental Implants
Replace your missing teeth in no time with our dental implant treatment!
Dental Implants
Replace your missing teeth in no time with our dental implant treatment!
Emergency Dentist
We offer emergency appointments to our patients in pain usually within 24 hours or on the same day .
Emergency Dentist
We offer emergency appointments to our patients in pain usually within 24 hours or on the same day .
Early Detection Saves Lives
Oral cancer screening is a short procedure that involves a thorough examination of the soft tissues of your mouth.
Screening combined with a knowledge of each patients’ risk factors and any sign of any suspicious lumps, bumps or ulcers means that we can refer you as quickly as possible.
It is recommended that you come in for a screening, at least on a yearly basis. Self-examination is a simple, potentially life-saving process.
SIGNS TO LOOK OUR FOR:
- Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, especially if they are not painful
- Red and white patches in the mouth
- Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth
Most things like this will not turn out to be cancer, but if you have any signs they should be investigated immediately. Late detection of mouth cancers results in a higher number of deaths than would otherwise occur. There are approximately 3500 deaths per year from mouth cancer in the UK.
Preventing Oral Cancer
Lifestyle choices can significantly influence your risk of oral cancer.
Here are a few lifestyle choices that we recommend you monitor closely.
Tobacco
Tobacco is the most common cause of mouth cancer. The risk is the same for users of all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, paan, areca nut and guthka.
The NHS stop smoking service operates out of pharmacies and includes support groups and treatment options i.e. nicotine replacement such as chewing gum or patches.
We have information available on smoking cessation in the practice. Also visit: Quit smoking http://smokefree.nhs.uk/
Alcohol
More than 7 in 10 people diagnosed with mouth cancer drink more than the recommended daily limit.
Drinking increases the mouth’s ability to absorb tobacco. People who drink and smoke to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer. It is recommended that both men and women drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week with at least 2 alcohol-free days.
Diet
A healthy balanced diet containing the recommended five to ten items of daily fruit and vegetable portions can help lower mouth cancer risk. Eating brightly coloured fresh fruit and vegetables every day such as bananas, peppers, broccoli, beans and cabbage that are rich in anti-oxidants, have proven to reduce the risk of some cancers.
HPV
The human papilloma virus (HPV) transmitted via unprotected oral sex, is a growing threat as a cause of mouth cancer. Experts suggest it may rival tobacco and alcohol as a major cancer cause in the future.
Sunblock
To prevent facial skin cancer, make sure you wear sunblock lotion and/or a wide brimmed hat during sunny periods. A growing number of people are developing skin and lip cancer without exposure to traditional risk factors. This underlines the need for regular check-ups with your dentist and self-examination. The age group affected is falling as a greater number of younger people than ever are being diagnosed.
Speak to your dentist if you have any concerns or for personal advice. For further information on oral cancer or http://www.mouthcancer.org/
PATIENT REVIEWS
