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Oral & Skin Cancer
Oral and skin cancers affect the cells of either your skin or mouth. These cancers are some of the most common among adults; however, they are often some of the most treatable. About 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer each year, and 3.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. Dr. Justin M. Young, DDS, MD, can give you a complete medical exam and recommend any preventative treatments necessary to keep you cancer-free and healthy.
Oral Cancers
Oral cancers occur in the cells of your mouth. Oral cancer can develop in anyone, but people over 40 are at higher risk. Other factors that increase the chance of oral cancer include smoking, drinking alcohol, and repeated exposure to persistent viral infections, particularly HPV.
Most oral cancers are forms of squamous cell carcinoma. Due to this commonality, most mouth cancers are named by their location in the mouth rather than the specific type of cancer. Some common forms of oral cancer locations are:
- Lip cancer: A cancerous growth on or around the lips, often confused for a cold sore or blister
- Tongue cancer: A spot of discoloration or growth on the top, sides, or bottom of the tongue
- Gum cancer: A growth on the gums, sometimes with symptoms similar to gingivitis or a gum abscess.
- Inner cheek cancer: Cancerous growth on the soft tissue of the inner lining of the cheeks
- Floor of the mouth cancer: Often confused for a canker sore or blister, this is a growth on the floor of the mouth, salivary glands, or base of the tongue
- Roof of the mouth/hard palate cancer: A growth on the hard tissue or cartilage of the palate
Skin Cancers
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Affecting more than 1% of the population annually, this cancer is found on the outer layer of the skin. Skin cancer can range from mild to severe, and treatment efficacy depends on how early it is caught. There are several different kinds of skin cancer, but the three most common are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This cancer comes from excessive exposure to the sun and usually has a red nodule growth or a flat scaly lesion.
- Basal cell carcinoma: Also, due to sun exposure, this usually presents as a waxy bump, a scar-like lesion, or a recurrent bleeding scab or score.
- Melanoma: This is the most serious form of skin cancer and can appear on skin that has been exposed to the sun as well as areas that haven’t. It usually looks like a dark lesion, a miss-shaped lesion, a lesion that hurts, itches, or burns, a brown speckled spot, or a freckle or mole that changes shape or color.
When to See Your Doctor
The best way to fight cancer successfully is to catch it as early as possible. Regular doctor’s appointments often include a range of cancer screenings, particularly if you are over 40 or in a high-risk group.
It is also important to do regular self-checks. Check all your freckles and moles to make sure they haven’t changed, and check your mouth when brushing your teeth for anything that feels different or abnormal. It is always good to have your doctor or dentist check it out if you find anything.
Be Proactive About Your Oral Health with Oral & Skin Cancer Screenings
Justin M. Young DDS, MD, offers full cancer screenings for your mouth and skin. Visit us today for a baseline exam to have benchmarks for future cancer screenings or assess anything you feel might be unusual.
Dr. Young will treat you with compassion, care, and competence. Contact our practice using our convenient online form to book your consultation.
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WHY CHOOSE JUSTIN M. YOUNG, DDS, MD
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