Overview
Getting a yearly oral cancer screening can help catch cancer early, when it is easiest to treat.
The Cancer Institute at the University of Tennessee Medical Center recommends that all individuals have a yearly physical examination of the head, neck, oropharynx (the middle section of the throat that includes the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils), and the mouth which has been widely adopted as part of a routine dental examination. Most exams can also be conducted by your primary healthcare provider. Early detection through oral screenings is the best tool to prevent and reduce mortality from oral cancers.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center offers yearly no-cost oral screenings to the community during outreach and screening events throughout the year. These screenings provide an opportunity to educate interested patients on oral cancer and its risk factors.
Learn more about how the Cancer Institute treats head and neck cancers or visit cancer.gov.