Oral Cancer Exam in Oak Lawn IL

The American Cancer Society reports more than 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer every year and over 8,000 deaths occur due to oral cancer. The 5- year survival rate for oral cancer is only about 50 percent! Current methods to treat oral cancers (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) are disfiguring and very expensive. Our office promotes preventing high-risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco products, smokeless tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption.

Early detection is key in treating oral cancer and we encourage our patients to participate in an Oral Cancer Exam at least once a year. The oral cancer exam is painless and easy. Your doctor will look for abnormalities and touch the tongue, lips, cheeks, face, glands and neck. A special laser or light may be used to look below the skin’s surface for unusual spots or lesions. Often times, oral cancer does not produce symptoms, which makes it hard to recognize without an exam.