Oral Cancer Screening in Palatine, IL
Few health threats to the mouth are as serious as oral cancer, yet survival rates climb dramatically when it is caught early. That is why Dr. Liana Tremmel performs thorough oral cancer screenings at Regency Dental Care, spotting abnormalities before they turn dangerous. The exam is quick, painless, and fits into any routine visit. The Centers for Disease Control recommend annual oral cancer screenings for all patients over 17.
In its early stages oral cancer often brings no pain and no symptoms at all, so regular screenings are your best way to catch it while treatment works best.
What it is
A quick, painless exam that looks over and feels the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, glands, and neck for any abnormalities, lesions, or signs of oral cancer at the earliest possible stage.
Who it's for
Every adult. The CDC recommends annual screenings for everyone over 17, and anyone with risk factors (tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, HPV, sun exposure, family history) should be especially watchful.
How we help
In just a few minutes at your regular visit, we combine a thorough visual examination, palpation of the mouth and neck, and specialized light technology to find abnormalities below the skin's surface.
Catching it early saves lives. Schedule your oral cancer screening today.
Oral Cancer: The Facts
- More than 30,000 Americans receive an oral cancer diagnosis each year
- In the United States, roughly one person dies every hour from oral cancer
- Its five-year survival rate sits around 50%, higher than cervical or prostate cancer mortality
- Caught early, those survival rates improve significantly
- At the earliest stages, oral cancer is frequently painless and invisible to the naked eye
- Advanced oral cancer demands disfiguring, expensive treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), which makes early detection critical
Risk Factors
- Tobacco: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco each raise risk considerably
- Alcohol: Heavy or frequent drinking, all the more so alongside tobacco use
- HPV: Human papillomavirus, HPV-16 in particular, is increasingly linked to oropharyngeal cancers
- Sun exposure: Long stretches of UV exposure raise the risk of lip cancer
- Age: Risk climbs with age, though HPV-related cancers are rising among younger adults
- Family history: A personal or family history of cancer adds to your risk
Warning Signs to Watch For
- Patches inside the mouth that are white, red, or a mix of colors
- A sore or ulcer that doesn't heal within 2 weeks
- Unexplained lumps, bumps, or thickening in the mouth, lip, or throat
- A lingering sore throat, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing
- Numbness in the tongue, lip, or anywhere else in the mouth
- Spot any of these signs and schedule an appointment immediately rather than waiting for your next regular visit
A screening takes only a few minutes and could save your life. Make a screening part of your annual dental visit.
What to Expect at Your Visit
The Screening Process
- Visual exam: Dr. Liana Tremmel looks over the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, gums, and throat for anything abnormal
- Physical exam: A gentle palpation of the tongue, lips, cheeks, face, glands, and neck checks for lumps or swelling
- Light technology: A special laser or light may help reveal abnormalities below the skin's surface
- Duration: Start to finish, the screening takes only a few minutes and is completely painless
- Next steps: If something unusual turns up, Dr. Liana Tremmel may recommend a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis
Prevention Tips
- Don't use tobacco. No single risk factor for oral cancer looms larger
- Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking drives risk up sharply, all the more so with tobacco
- Protect your lips with an SPF lip balm whenever you spend time outdoors
- Eat a healthy diet. The antioxidants in fruits and vegetables may help guard against cancer
- Get screened annually. Nothing matters more to successful treatment than early detection
- Oral cancer can strike anyone, even people with no known risk factors
Frequently Asked Questions
Beating oral cancer starts with early detection. Schedule your screening today.