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Oral Cancer Screening

Family Medical, Dental, Pharmacy and Pediatric Services located in Edwardsville, Falls, Freeland, Hazleton, LaPorte, Monroe Twp., Nuremburg, Shickshinny & Wilkes-Barre, PA.

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About Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer affects more than 50,000 people in the United States every year. It’s a type of cancer that spreads fast, and early detection improves your chances of recovery. Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania provides oral cancer screenings. Find out more about oral cancer screening and how it can benefit you by calling one of the offices in Nuremberg, Sullivan Trail Falls, Freeland, Hazelton, Monroe Township, Wilkes-Barre, Shickshinny, or Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, or schedule a consultation online today.

"Every staff member in this clinic, from the receptionist to the doctor, are always so genuinely friendly, caring, and helpful..."
"They truly care about their patients and what they do."
"Everyone working there is always pleasant and courteous and make you feel at ease."

Oral Cancer Screening Q & A

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer refers to cancers affecting the mouth and back of the throat. These include cancerous lesions that develop on or under the tongue, along the gums, or the soft tissue in the back of the throat.

This type of cancer may start as a sore or lump in the mouth or throat or on the lip. It may also cause a sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or numbness in the mouth.

Oral cancer is a fast-growing cancer, and finding it early may improve your response to treatment. An oral cancer screening is a quick test the dental experts at Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania perform to look for signs of oral cancer.

Why would I need an oral cancer screening?

You might benefit from an oral cancer screening if you’re at risk of developing oral cancer. Common risk factors include:

  • Use of tobacco products
  • Heavy alcohol use
  • Excessive sun exposure (increasing risk of lip cancer)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Rates of oral cancer have been increasing. Researchers theorize that the increase in HPV infections may explain why oral cancer is rising. 

What happens during an oral cancer screening?

The dental professionals at Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania perform oral cancer screenings. They review the details of your screening before the evaluation, so you know what to expect.

In most cases, they conduct this screening at your routine dental exam.

During your oral cancer screening, your dentist inspects the soft tissue inside your mouth, looking for sores, areas of redness, or white patches. They feel the tissues in your mouth with a gloved hand to check for lumps and may also check your throat and neck for abnormalities. 

If your dentist finds any abnormal tissue or lumps, they may schedule a follow-up visit within a few weeks to recheck the abnormality and look for signs of changes. They may also biopsy the abnormal tissue and send it to the lab for analysis.

Your dentist may then send you to an oral cancer expert for diagnosis and treatment. Surgery and radiation therapy are the primary treatments for oral cancer. 

To schedule your oral cancer screening, call Rural Health Corporation of Northeastern Pennsylvania or book an appointment online today.