Did you know that the number of oral cancer cases recorded in the UK has increased by more than a third in the last 15 years? Oral cancer affects more than 6,000 people every year, but many people are still unaware of this deadly disease. At Harley Street Dental Studio, we make use of the latest screening technology to detect changes in the mouth long before they become visible to the eye or a patient starts to develop obvious symptoms.

About Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is often difficult to diagnose because people are unaware of the symptoms and warning signs, and this means that a diagnosis is made at an advanced stage. It is estimated that around 90 percent of cases could be treated successfully in the case of early diagnosis; however, if cancer has progressed or spread, it is much more difficult to treat.

At Harley Street Dental Studio, we’re serious about fighting oral cancer and we want to give our patients the best chance to enjoy good health for as long as possible. We use VelScope technology during oral cancer screening. This innovative technology enables us to provide in-depth assessment of the mouth. Using a fluorescent light, your dentist will scan the mouth, looking out for any potential abnormalities, which will be flagged up by the VelScope system. This technology is capable of identifying changes in the mouth before they become visible to the human eye, and this means a diagnosis can be made before other symptoms develop, indicating that cancer is more advanced. The sooner oral cancer is diagnosed, the higher the chance of successful treatment.

We also check the mouth for signs of oral cancer during routine dental examinations, and we strongly recommend routine checks every 6-12 months.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Unexplained oral pain or bleeding
• Lumps or swelling in the mouth
• White or red patches in the mouth
• Slow-healing ulcers and sores
• Difficulty swallowing