VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Brampton
Oral Cancer Screening with VELscope in Brampton
During your 6-monthly appointments, we thoroughly screen for any abnormal lesions, lumps and bumps. At home, we recommend grabbing a mirror every month and screening your mouth for any changes. Click here to read our blog post and learn how to screen yourself at home for oral cancer. If you notice anything abnormal, please reach out to us as early detection can double your chance of survival and limit the spread of cancer to other organs.
Oral cancer is a common form of cancer, with roughly 5,400 new cases reported annually in Canada. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of oral function, irreparable facial disfigurement following surgery, and even death. For this reason, it’s important to regularly visit your dentist for a thorough screening for oral cancer.
What Increases My Risk For Developing Oral Cancer?
Most people diagnosed with Oral Cancer are over the age of 40. There is no single cause of Oral Cancer, but the following factors increase the risk of developing it:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco, especially if you also drink alcohol
- Drinking alcohol, especially if you also smoke or chew tobacco
- Chewing betel nut
- Sun exposure to the lips
- Infection of the oral cavity with the human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Family history of squamous cell carcinoma
- History of oral cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Psoriasis
Some people develop oral cancer without any of these risks.
What Are The Warning Signs Of Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer—represented by red, white, or discolored lesions and patches or lumps in or around the mouth—is typically painless in its early stages. As the malignant cancer spreads and destroys healthy oral tissue, the lesions or lumps may become more painful. See your dentist immediately if you observe:
- Any sore that persists longer than two weeks
- A swelling, growth, or lump anywhere in or about the mouth or neck
- White or red patches in the mouth or on the lips
- Repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Persistent hoarseness in the throat
Where Can I Get An Oral Cancer Screening In Brampton?
The dentists at Venus Dental Care screen for oral cancer during routine checkups. During the screening, they feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, and oral cavity. They thoroughly examine the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for sores or discolored tissues. Our team utilizes VELscope technology to visualize oral tissue abnormalities, such as cancers.
The device emits a harmless, bright blue light which is used to inspect the mouth and tongue. The device is sensitive to abnormal tissue changes and produces disrupted patterns if any changes are detected, such as those due to oral cancer.
Our patients agree that oral screenings are quick and painless, and they leave the office feeling great about their proactive decision. Click here to schedule an oral cancer screening appointment today. If you’d like to learn more about the screening, please don’t hesitate to call our team at 905-451-5999 or email at reception@venusdentalcare.com.