Oral cancer is one kind of cancer you can get in the mouth, throat, tongue, or lips, and if untreated, can be fatal. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, over 50,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and over 15 percent of them will succumb from this awful disease.
Costa Dentistry Offers Velscope Oral Cancer Screening in April
Catching oral cancer early is the key to a successful treatment. Costa Dentistry uses VELscope® oral cancer screenings in Ashburn and Great Falls, Virginia, to look for indications of illness and to detect emerging problems that could be easily overlooked.
The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone with an average risk for oral cancer should be screened every three years, starting at age 20. But, those who use tobacco or alcohol or who have a family history of oral cancer should consider being screened more frequently.
Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
- Long lasting or persistent sore throat
- Lump or thickening in your cheek or throat
- Trouble swallowing or chewing
- White or red patch on the tongue or gums
- Bleeding in the mouth, with no other explanation
- Numbness or pain in the mouth or lips
Schedule your Screening at Costa Dentistry in April 2025
During your cancer screening, a Costa Dentistry provider will examine your mouth and throat for signs like red or white patches, sores, or lumps. If anything suspicious is found, a biopsy may be done.
Schedule an appointment with the Costa Dentistry team for your cancer screening.