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Why an Annual Oral Cancer Screening Matters
Oral cancer is more common than many people realize, and its outlook depends heavily on how early it is found. In the United States, one adult dies every hour from oral cancer. The encouraging news is that when oral cancers are identified at their earliest stages, treatment can begin sooner, tends to be less invasive, and has a much higher success rate.
In more advanced stages, oral cancers are more likely to have spread to other areas and require complex treatment. That is why Dr. Donald Yang recommends an oral cancer screening at least once each year. A regular screening takes only a few minutes, causes no discomfort, and gives you real peace of mind.
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The Life-Saving Value of Early Detection
Catching oral cancer early is one of the most important things a routine dental visit can do for your overall health. A simple annual screening offers meaningful benefits:
- Earlier treatment, which begins more quickly when abnormalities are found in their initial stages
- Higher success rates, since early-stage oral cancers respond far better to treatment
- Less invasive care, avoiding the more complex procedures that advanced cases often require
- Greater peace of mind, knowing your mouth, throat, and surrounding tissues have been carefully checked
- A quick, comfortable process that fits easily into your regular checkup
What We Look for During Your Screening
During your oral cancer screening, Dr. Yang checks carefully for any abnormalities, closely examining your mouth, throat, lips, gums, and tongue. The exam is thorough, gentle, and completely painless.
Your input matters too. Please let us know about any potential symptoms you have experienced, including:
- Pain or difficulty speaking, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue
- A sensation that something is caught in the back of your throat
- A sore throat with no other sinus symptoms
- Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
- Drastic, unexplained weight loss
- White or red patches in your mouth
- Mouth sores that do not heal
- Unexplained ear pain
- Unexplained bleeding in your mouth
If you have experienced any of these symptoms for more than a week without improvement, call us right away to schedule an appointment.
Understanding Your Risk Factors
Anyone can develop oral cancer, but certain factors raise the risk. Being aware of them helps you and Dr. Yang stay especially watchful. Some of the most common risk factors include:
- Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women
- Using tobacco in any form makes a person roughly six times more likely to develop oral cancer
- A genetic predisposition to oral cancers
- Excessive or prolonged sun exposure, which affects the lips
- An unhealthy diet
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Having gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD
Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop oral cancer, but it does make regular screenings even more important.
A Few Minutes That Are Well Worth It
An oral cancer screening is fast, painless, and one of the simplest steps you can take to protect your long-term health. Combined with your regular exams and cleanings, an annual screening helps ensure that anything of concern is caught as early as possible.
We proudly welcome patients from Millbrae, San Bruno, Tanforan, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Burlingame, and Daly City.
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