Screening is the process by which doctors examine a person for signs of cancer. During regular dental checks your dentist will look for lesions in the oropharynx or in the oral cavity. The purpose of screening is to find cancer at its early stage, when it is easier to treat. The formation of red and white patches of cells on the mucous membranes is capable of becoming cancerous, and if lesions are found the tissues will require examining. However, when the symptoms of cancer become obvious, it may have reached the stage where it is more difficult to treat, so it is always better to find cancer earlier rather than later. An initial dental examination at Fox Dental Surgery will always involve an oral cancer screen which involves the testing of the face, lips and the oropharynx.
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