Oral cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when it is identified early, and one of the most dangerous when it goes undetected. According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, resulting in more than 11,000 deaths. What makes those numbers particularly troubling is that survival rates depend heavily on how early the cancer is found: the five-year survival rate for localized oral cancer is around 84 percent, while that rate drops sharply once the disease has spread to surrounding tissue or lymph nodes.
Oral cancer screenings are one of the most efficient tools available for catching the disease at its most treatable stage. At Boston Smile Center in Brookline, Dr. Alan Sasson includes a thorough oral cancer screening as part of every comprehensive dental examination. It adds only a few minutes to your visit, requires no preparation, and can make a decisive difference in early detection.
What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a systematic visual and physical examination of the soft tissues in and around the mouth. The goal is to identify abnormal tissue changes, including unusual discoloration, irregular textures, sores that have not healed, or lumps and thickenings that may warrant further investigation.
During the screening, your dentist examines the lips, gums, inner cheeks, tongue, the floor of the mouth, the roof of the mouth, and the throat. The neck and jaw area are also palpated, meaning lightly felt by hand, to check for enlarged lymph nodes or any unusual masses. The entire process typically takes two to five minutes and is entirely non-invasive. There is no discomfort involved.
Finding something during a screening does not automatically indicate cancer. Many lesions are benign or caused by local irritants like tobacco, ill-fitting dental appliances, or minor trauma. What a screening does is give your dentist the information needed to determine whether something requires monitoring, a biopsy referral, or simply a follow-up visit in a few weeks.
Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?
Certain behaviors and characteristics are associated with a higher risk of developing oral cancer, but it is important to understand that the disease does not exclusively affect high-risk groups. According to the National Institutes of Health, the following are among the most significant risk factors:
- Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, as well as using chewing tobacco or snuff, significantly elevates risk. Tobacco users are up to six times more likely to develop oral cancers than non-users.
- Heavy alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol use is a major independent risk factor, and the combination of tobacco and alcohol together creates a compounding effect that substantially increases risk beyond either factor alone.
- HPV infection: Human papillomavirus, specifically the HPV-16 strain, has become an increasingly recognized cause of oropharyngeal cancers, particularly in younger, non-smoking adults. The incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer has risen considerably over the past two decades.
- Prolonged sun exposure: Lip cancer, specifically cancer of the lower lip, is associated with chronic sun exposure without protection.
- Age: Risk increases with age, with the majority of oral cancer diagnoses occurring in adults over 55.
That said, oral cancer does occur in people with no traditional risk factors, which is precisely why routine screening across all adult patients is the standard of care, not a recommendation reserved only for those with obvious risk profiles.
Signs That Should Prompt a Visit
Between dental visits, there are symptoms worth paying attention to. Many of these can have benign explanations, but any of the following that persists for more than two weeks should be evaluated:
A mouth sore that does not heal is the most widely cited warning sign. Unexplained white patches (leukoplakia) or red patches (erythroplakia) on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth are also significant, as erythroplakia in particular carries a meaningful risk of malignant transformation. Difficulty swallowing, a persistent lump or thickening in the cheek, unexplained numbness in the tongue or other oral tissue, and chronic hoarseness are additional symptoms that should not be dismissed.
None of these symptoms confirm cancer, and most have other explanations. But they are the body’s way of flagging that something may need attention, and a dental or medical evaluation is the appropriate next step whenever they are present.
How Screening Fits Into Your Dental Care
Routine dental visits serve purposes well beyond teeth cleaning and cavity checks. They provide a regular opportunity for a clinician to examine the entire oral environment, which includes the soft tissues where cancer most commonly develops. Patients who skip or delay dental visits out of anxiety, cost concerns, or convenience often forgo this layer of monitoring entirely.
We understand that dental visits are not always easy for every patient. Our team at Boston Smile Center works to make each appointment as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If cost or access has been a barrier, we encourage you to discuss our dental services and available options with us directly. The few minutes an oral cancer screening takes could be among the most valuable of your dental visit.
What Happens If Something Is Found
If a suspicious area is identified during your screening, the next step is typically one of two things: a follow-up exam in two to three weeks to see whether a lesion has resolved, or a referral to an oral surgeon or specialist for a biopsy if the lesion looks clinically concerning or has already been present for some time.
A biopsy is the only way to definitively determine whether abnormal tissue is cancerous. It involves removing a small tissue sample for laboratory analysis, and it is a routine outpatient procedure. If the biopsy returns benign results, you have your answer and can return to routine monitoring. If it identifies a problem, you have found it at a point where treatment options are most effective and outcomes are most favorable.
Schedule Your Screening at Boston Smile Center
Dr. Sasson has been caring for patients in the Greater Boston area for more than 35 years, and our practice has earned Best of Boston recognition year after year. Comprehensive examinations at Boston Smile Center include an oral cancer screening as a standard component of every visit, because we believe preventive vigilance is one of the most important things we can offer.
If you are due for a dental examination or have concerns about any tissue changes you have noticed, we are here to help. Contact our Brookline office to schedule your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oral Cancer Screening
How often should I have an oral cancer screening?
For most adults, an oral cancer screening is included as part of a routine comprehensive dental exam, which most dentists recommend once or twice a year. If you use tobacco, consume alcohol heavily, or have had a prior oral cancer diagnosis or biopsy, more frequent monitoring may be appropriate. Discuss your personal risk factors with your dentist at your next visit to determine the right schedule for your situation.
Is oral cancer screening painful?
No, oral cancer screening is a non-invasive and completely painless examination. Your dentist visually inspects the soft tissues in and around your mouth and gently palpates the jaw and neck to check for any unusual lumps or swelling. There are no instruments, injections, or procedures involved in the screening itself. The entire exam typically takes only a few minutes and is performed as part of your regular dental appointment.
What does a suspicious finding during a screening mean?
A suspicious finding does not mean you have cancer. Many lesions found during screening are benign and resolve on their own within two to three weeks. Your dentist may recommend a follow-up visit to monitor the area, or may refer you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy if the tissue looks clinically concerning or has been present for an extended period. A biopsy is the only way to know for certain whether a tissue change is cancerous, precancerous, or benign.
Can oral cancer be cured if caught early?
Yes. The five-year survival rate for localized oral cancer, meaning cancer that has not spread beyond its original site, is approximately 84 percent according to the American Cancer Society. When oral cancer is detected and treated at this stage, outcomes are substantially more favorable than when it is found after the disease has spread to lymph nodes or distant tissue. Early detection through routine screening is one of the most effective strategies for improving oral cancer outcomes.
Are nonsmokers at risk for oral cancer?
Yes. While tobacco and alcohol use are among the strongest risk factors for oral cancer, nonsmokers and non-drinkers are also diagnosed with the disease. HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in particular has been increasing among younger, non-smoking adults. Age, prolonged sun exposure affecting the lips, and family history also contribute to risk. Because oral cancer does not exclusively affect high-risk populations, routine screening is recommended for all adult dental patients, regardless of lifestyle.