Oral Cancer Screening in Red Deer

Regular checkups give you a higher chance of finding oral cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable.

Signs of Oral Cancer

See us immediately if you have:

• unexplained bleeding in your mouth
• changes in taste or tongue sensation
• lumps located on your lips, cheeks, tongue, or neck
• sores or patches in your mouth that don't heal
• changes in the colour or texture of your mouth tissues
• persistent sore throat
• difficulty swallowing

You can take the Canadian oral cancer self-assessment quiz

Habits That Increase Risk

Though the actual cause of oral cancer is not known, there are some factors that increase the risk including:

• Consumption of tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars etc.
• Heavy alcohol consumption (especially when combined with tobacco use)
• Repeated exposure to the sun for prolonged periods of time
• Poor diet
• Genetics and gender (men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women)
• A history of Leukoplakia (a thick white colour patch inside the mouth)

Checking your mouth regularly for any signs or symptoms is also a great way to identify problems early. If you notice any changes in your mouth, let us know right away or schedule a screening.