{"id":5551,"date":"2025-08-01T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/?p=5551"},"modified":"2026-10-22T16:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T14:23:09","slug":"oral-cancer-early-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/oral-health\/oral-cancer-early-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 Your mouth is talking to you: the importance of early oral cancer diagnosis in V\u00e9lez-M\u00e1laga \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We often associate going to the dentist with checking for cavities, having our teeth cleaned or improving the <strong>appearance<\/strong> of our smile. However, the dentist&#8217;s role goes much further: they play a key part in the early detection of potentially serious diseases such as <strong>oral cancer<\/strong>. At <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/clinic\/\">Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero<\/a><\/strong>, located in <strong>Torre del Mar<\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/g.co\/kgs\/DFstVzW\">V\u00e9lez-M\u00e1laga<\/a><\/strong>, we stress the importance of <a href=\"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/oral-health\/regular-dental-checkups\/\">regular dental check-ups<\/a>, not only for your teeth and gums but also as a vital tool for the <strong>early diagnosis<\/strong> of this disease. Knowing the warning signs and having regular check-ups can make a crucial difference. Read on to find out more about how to protect your health! \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is <strong>oral cancer<\/strong> and why is <strong>early diagnosis<\/strong> so important? \ud83e\udd14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Oral cancer<\/strong> is a type of cancer that can develop anywhere in the mouth: lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, cheeks, gums, palate or tonsils. As with many other cancers, if it is detected in its early stages, the chances of successful treatment and survival are significantly higher. Conversely, if it is diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatment may be more invasive and the outlook less favourable. That&#8217;s why <strong>early diagnosis<\/strong> is key. \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Oral cancer<\/strong> risk factors \ud83d\udead\ud83c\udf77\u2600\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although anyone can develop <strong>oral cancer<\/strong>, certain factors increase the risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tobacco:<\/strong> smoking or chewing tobacco is the main risk factor. 85% of <strong>oral cancer<\/strong> cases are linked to tobacco use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alcohol:<\/strong> heavy drinking, especially combined with smoking, multiplies the risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sun exposure:<\/strong> prolonged exposure to UV rays without lip protection increases the risk of lip cancer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV):<\/strong> certain strains of HPV, especially HPV-16, are linked to <strong>oral cancer<\/strong>, particularly in the oropharynx.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Poor oral hygiene:<\/strong> this can contribute to chronic irritation of the tissues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age:<\/strong> the risk increases with age and is more common in people over 40.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warning signs: what should you look out for in your mouth? \ud83d\udea9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Self-examination is part of prevention. It&#8217;s essential that you get to know your mouth and look out for any changes. If you notice any of these signs and they last for more than two weeks, it is <strong>essential<\/strong> that you see your dentist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/dental-care\/canker-sores-types-symptoms-and-treatment\/\">sore, ulcer or mouth ulcer<\/a> that doesn&#8217;t heal:<\/strong> especially if it is painless at first. This is the most common warning sign.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>White patches (leukoplakia) or red patches (erythroplakia):<\/strong> leukoplakia are white lesions that can&#8217;t be scraped off, and erythroplakia are red patches, often flat or slightly raised. Both can be precancerous or cancerous.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A lump or thickening:<\/strong> anywhere in the mouth or neck.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Difficulty or pain when swallowing or speaking.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Numbness or loss of feeling<\/strong> in any part of the mouth or tongue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A change in how your dentures fit.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unexplained bleeding<\/strong> in the mouth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unexplained weight loss.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The crucial role of the dentist in <strong>early diagnosis<\/strong> at <strong>Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero<\/strong> \ud83e\ude7a<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your regular visits to <strong>Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero<\/strong> aren&#8217;t just about cleaning your teeth or treating cavities. At every check-up, our team carries out <strong>routine oral cancer screening<\/strong>. This examination is quick, painless and could save your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What do we look for in an oral cancer check?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Visual examination:<\/strong> our dentist will examine your lips, gums, tongue, palate, cheeks and throat for any changes in colour, lumps, ulcers or asymmetries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Palpation:<\/strong> your neck and jaw will be gently felt to detect any swollen lymph nodes or unusual lumps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medical history and habits:<\/strong> we&#8217;ll ask about your habits (tobacco, alcohol) and your medical history to assess your risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If anything suspicious is found, we&#8217;ll tell you straight away and explain the next steps, which may include further tests such as a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The sooner action is taken, the better the results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steps for active prevention in <strong>V\u00e9lez-M\u00e1laga<\/strong> \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prevention is our best weapon against <strong>oral cancer<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cut out tobacco:<\/strong> this is the most important step. If you smoke or use tobacco products, get help to quit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut down on alcohol:<\/strong> drink in moderation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protect your lips from the sun:<\/strong> use a lip balm with SPF when you&#8217;re outdoors. \u2600\ufe0f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep up good oral hygiene:<\/strong> brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to reduce chronic irritation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eat a balanced diet:<\/strong> rich in fruit and vegetables, which provide protective antioxidants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check your mouth regularly:<\/strong> get into the habit of examining your mouth once a month to spot any changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Go for regular dental check-ups:<\/strong> visit <strong>Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero<\/strong> in <strong>Torre del Mar<\/strong> at least once a year (or as your dentist recommends) for a full examination, including <strong>oral cancer<\/strong> screening.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Your oral health is our priority in V\u00e9lez-M\u00e1laga!<\/strong> \ud83d\udc96<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At <strong>Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero<\/strong>, we believe in preventive dentistry and <a href=\"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/treatments\/\">comprehensive dental care<\/a> for every patient. The <strong>early diagnosis<\/strong> of <strong>oral cancer<\/strong> is a crucial part of our commitment to you and to the community of <strong>V\u00e9lez-M\u00e1laga<\/strong>. Don&#8217;t underestimate the importance of your dental check-ups. They could be a lifesaver!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have any concerns or simply want to make sure your mouth is healthy, don&#8217;t hesitate to get in touch with us in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/g.co\/kgs\/DFstVzW\">Torre del Mar<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/book-your-appointment\/\">book your next appointment<\/a>! Your mouth is talking to you, and we&#8217;re here to listen and look after it. \u2728<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We often associate going to the dentist with checking for cavities, having our teeth cleaned or improving the appearance of our smile. However, the dentist&#8217;s role goes much further: they play a key part in the early detection of potentially serious diseases such as oral cancer. At Cl\u00ednica Dental Acosta Cubero, located in Torre del [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[72,73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oral-health","category-dental-prevention"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5551"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5551\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5553,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5551\/revisions\/5553"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acostacubero.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}