When Should You Have Your First Oral Cancer Screening?

Posted on 4/25/2022 by Pacific Maxillofacial Center

If you have not had an oral cancer screening before, you may wonder when you should get your first screening. The following information gives you more details.

When to Begin Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings usually begin when a person turns 20 years old. At this time, until they reach 40 years old, they can be done once every three years. After 40 years old, oral cancer screenings should be performed every year. If you are at a high risk, or smoke or drink, have the human papillomavirus (HPV), are overweight, or have a family history of cancer, you should have an annual oral screening for cancer, whether you are younger or older.

What You Should Expect During Your First Screening

During your first screening, you will be surprised how fast it will go. If no abnormalities are found, it takes about as long as what it does to brush your teeth. So, that small amount of time is well worth the effort. We will do a visual examination, using a light and tongue depressor. We will be seeking any bumps, red or white patches, or sores. If we believe we have found a suspicious patch or sore, we will conduct a further investigation to confirm if the finding is cancer.

Why Prevention Is Important

Sometimes, oral cancer results from not-so-obvious risk factors, such as continual denture irritation, a genetic syndrome, or from obesity. A healthy diet and regular dental care can also help offset the risks of oral cancer including head and neck tumors or cancers of the throat and larynx.

If you have not yet had a screening for oral cancer, now is the time to set your first appointment. Don't be worried about the process. As noted, it goes fairly fast. Contact us to schedule your appointment now. We can conveniently book a time that will work with your current schedule and activities.

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