Oral Cancer Screenings in South Jordan, UT

Dr. Osborne visually examines and gently palpates your mouth, lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, and throat. He'll also check the lymph nodes in your neck. He's looking for anything that doesn't look or feel the way it should: unusual lumps, red or white patches, sores that haven't healed, areas of thickening, or anything that's changed since your last visit.

The whole exam takes about two minutes. It's completely painless. Most patients don't even realize it's happening because it flows naturally with the rest of the visit.

Traditional risk factors include tobacco use (smoked, smokeless, or vaping), heavy alcohol use, and extensive sun exposure (which affects lips specifically). Age is also a factor; most diagnoses happen after age 55.

Increasingly, HPV-related oral cancers are showing up in younger patients who don't have the traditional risk factors. This is one of the reasons we screen every patient at every comprehensive visit, regardless of lifestyle or age.

Most things we notice are not cancer. Ulcers, canker sores, friction spots, and lichen planus are all common and benign. If we see something that needs more attention, we'll typically ask you to come back in two weeks. Many concerning spots heal on their own in that window.

If something persists, we refer you to an oral surgeon or ENT specialist for a biopsy. The process is usually straightforward, and the vast majority of biopsies come back benign. The important thing is not to wait and see for too long with something that might need attention.

Any sore in your mouth that hasn't healed in two weeks is worth a call. Same for any persistent red or white patch, any lump you can feel but can't see, or any unexplained numbness in the mouth or lips. Trust your gut here; if something feels off, come in.