Mouth cancer screening is just as important and necessary as cervical, prostate or breast cancer screening. Identifying mouth cancer early, allows for a greater chance for a cure.
A dentist who will perform the screening, will examine you and look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.
5 common contributors to oral cancer:
- Tobacco and alcohol use. Most cases of oral cancer are linked to cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol use, or the use of both tobacco and alcohol together.
- Infection with the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked to a subset of oral cancers at any age.
- Risk increases with age.
- Oral cancer most often occurs in people over the age of 40.
- Cancer of the lip can be caused by sun exposure. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may play a role in oral cancer development.