Oral cancer often isn't discussed enough in conversations around dentistry and oral health. The lack of education and awareness is concerning. However, we're here to help clarify a few things about when and why you should be screened through a holistic dentist approach in West Kelowna!
Based on research by the Moffitt Cancer Center, people over the age of 20 should get an oral cancer screening at least every three years and people over the age of 40 should be screened annually, wether symptomatic or not.
Being screened is especially critical for people with high-risk behaviors, lifestyles and pre-existing conditions including:
According to the American Cancer Society, most people diagnosed with oral cancer are aged 55+ and oral cancer is approximately twice as common in men as it is in women.
As it currently stands, oral cancer develops far less commonly in people under the age of 55. While this may be the case, it's totally worth your time to receive annual screenings.
They are not usually time consuming and can offer a lot of value to your health. In alignment with holistic dentist values in West Kelowna, we emphasize that early prevention and awareness is key! Even if you're not in the 55+ age window.
You have likely been screened before without even knowing it. Many dentists preform routine screenings during regular cleanings and other types of treatments.
However, this is not always the case and while it is your dentist's duty to ensure your oral health is in top condition, it's also important to be an advocate for yourself — especially when it comes to your health.
Never hesitate to ask your dentist to preform an oral cancer screening and to open up that channel of communication. In taking a holistic dentist approach in West Kelowna, we have ensured that you can easily book an oral cancer screening with us today!
New patients are fully welcome.
Thanks to advancements and developments in technology, oral cancer screening is now available, safe, and effective.
The Velscope Oral Cancer Screening System incorporates fluorescence visualization technology to help detect abnormal tissue growth. They cost $50 and take only 3-5 minutes.
It’s important to note that the Velscope System is not a diagnostic device. It’s used to detect abnormal tissue growth. If we are suspicious of the tissue detected, a surgical biopsy will be conducted by an oral surgeon. Only when an oral pathologist reads the results of this surgical biopsy can a diagnosis be made.
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In order to prevent late detection, it’s important for you to understand what symptoms to look out for in mouth cancer:
Although it can happen to anyone, some are more at risk than others
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, please contact us today and ask about an oral cancer screening. We can check for multiple reasons why you may be experiencing these symptoms and help find a solution or treatment.