Oral Cancer Screening

What is an oral cancer screening?

An oral cancer screening is an exam to look for signs of cancer in your mouth. Oral cancers include mouth cancer, jaw cancer and tongue cancer.

The areas examined during an oral cancer screening include:

• Cheek lining.
• Floor and roof of your mouth.
• Gums.
• Lips.
• Tongue.
• Tonsils.

Why are oral cancer screenings so important?

Oral cancer is a common cancer of the head and neck, affecting people all around the world. Nearly 54,000 Americans receive an oral or oropharyngeal cancer diagnosis each year.

Oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of 57%. This means that just a little more than half of the people diagnosed with oral cancer are alive five years after their diagnosis. Oral cancer isn’t particularly difficult to diagnose. But fatality rates are high because oral cancer is too often detected late in its development. Oral cancer screenings are the best tool available for early diagnosis and treatment.

When is an oral cancer screening recommended?

Healthcare providers use oral cancer screenings to find cancer before symptoms develop. When providers detect oral cancer in its early stages, treatment may be more successful.

Can a dentist see if you have oral cancer?

While a variety of healthcare providers can perform oral cancer screenings, dentists commonly offer them as part of their routine exams. It’s important to note, though, that oral cancer screenings don’t diagnose cancer. Healthcare providers use screenings to look for signs of cancer. If your provider finds anything suspicious, they’ll refer you to an oncologist for further testing, diagnosis and treatment.

How is early oral cancer detected?

Oral cancer screenings can help detect early signs of oral cancer. But the only surefire way to find out if you have oral cancer is to collect suspicious cells and test them in a laboratory. If your healthcare provider suspects oral cancer, then they’ll refer you to another specialist for evaluation.

How do I prepare for the screening?

There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for an oral cancer screening. The exam usually takes place during a routine dental or physical checkup.

What should I expect during my oral cancer screening?

Your healthcare provider may use a combination of oral cancer screening methods, including a visual exam, palpation, and oral screening dyes and lights. They may also take photos of any abnormal areas so they can monitor them. In general, screenings take less than five minutes.

Visual exam

During this portion of the exam, your healthcare provider will look for lesions (areas of abnormal tissue) in your mouth and throat. These abnormalities may include leukoplakia (thick white patches) and erythroplakia (abnormally red areas).

Palpation

Your healthcare provider will also use their fingers to feel (palpate) for lumps or bumps around your face, neck and jaw. Be sure to let them know if you have areas that are sore or tender.

Oral cancer screening dye

Many healthcare providers use oral cancer screening tools — like toluidine blue dye — to look for signs of oral cancer. They’ll coat any lesions with the dye, which can help identify areas that are likely to become cancerous.

Oral cancer screening light

There are also special lights that can help identify abnormal tissues in your mouth. To use this tool, your healthcare provider will ask you to rinse your mouth with a fluorescent mouthwash. Next, they’ll shine a special light in your mouth, which makes healthy tissue look dark and abnormal tissue look white.

What happens after the oral cancer screening?

As mentioned above, screenings look for signs of cancer. But you’ll need more testing to get an official diagnosis.

After your oral cancer screening, your healthcare provider will share their findings with you. If the screening indicates that cancer could be present, your provider will refer you to a specialist for further assessment. Tests may include:

• Cytology. A provider collects cells from your mouth with a brush, piece of cotton or wooden stick. Then, a pathologist looks at the cells under a microscope to see if they’re abnormal.
• Biopsy. During this test, a provider removes a portion of the abnormal tissue and sends it to a pathologist for analysis.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend a follow-up visit in a week or so to see if the lesion has changed or healed on its own.

When should I know the results?

Your healthcare provider can share their findings with you immediately after your oral cancer screening.

If you undergo more testing — such as a biopsy — it typically takes three to five days to get your results.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If you develop mouth pain or notice any new lumps, bumps or lesions, call your healthcare provider right away. Early detection is key, so if you think something isn’t quite right, don’t wait to seek medical care.

Can I screen for oral cancer at home?

Some healthcare providers recommend screening yourself at home for oral cancer once a month. However, a self oral cancer screening isn’t a substitute for bi-annual screenings at your healthcare provider’s office.

Ask your provider how to perform a screening at home. Here are some general guidelines:

• Look in the mirror and check your face for any recent changes, including swelling, lumps, rashes or moles.
• Run your fingers along your jawline and down the sides of your neck. Check for swelling and any areas of asymmetry.
• Pull each lip away from your teeth. Look for any discoloration and feel for any lumps or bumps.
• Gently pull your cheeks outward. Look for patches of red or white. Feel along your inner cheeks to check for lesions or areas of tenderness.
• Use your thumb and index finger to feel along your gum line. Be sure to check the tongue side, too.
• Carefully pull your tongue out and check for any swelling or discoloration. Touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Check for any abnormalities under your tongue.
• Next, tilt your head back to look at the roof of your mouth. Take note of any discoloration or mouth ulcers.
• Finally, lift your tongue and feel the floor of your mouth for tenderness, ulcers or swelling.

A lump found in the neck can be a sign of advanced oral cancer, so feeling your neck for masses or swelling is important. Make note of anything questionable and call your healthcare provider for further instructions.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Oral cancer is a common cancer affecting the head and neck. With frighteningly high fatality rates, early detection is the key for timely diagnosis and treatment. Routine screenings give you the best chance for finding oral cancer in its early stages. Ask your healthcare provider how often you should undergo screenings for optimal health.