Oral Cancer Exam - What to Expect
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Oral Cancer Exam: What to Expect
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
He or she will then look at and feel the insides of your lips and cheeks to check
for possible signs of cancer, such as red and/or white patches.
With both hands, he or she will feel the area under your jaw and the side of your neck, checking for lumps that may suggest cancer.
Your health care provider will inspect your face, neck, lips and mouth to look for any signs of cancer.
Preparing for the exam: If you have dentures (plates) or partials, you will be asked to remove them.
Finally, your provider will put one finger on the floor of your mouth and, with the other hand under your chin, gently press
down to check for lumps or sensitivity.
In addition, he or she will look at the roof and floor of your mouth, as well as
the back of your throat.
Using gauze, he or she will then gently pull your tongue to one side, then the other, to check the base of your tongue. The underside of your tongue will also be checked.
Next, your provider will have you stick out your tongue so it can be checked for swelling or abnormal color or texture.