EXAMINATION FOR MEN AND WOMEN

It is important to check regularly for signs of cancer of the mouth, especially in those who consume tobacco. Each month you should examine your own mouth in front of a mirror, by everting the cheeks. Look for changes in color, cracks, white patches, swelling, bleeding areas or thickening in any area in the mouth. A dentist should attend to broken or sharp teeth.

Examination for Women

• Breast – Women should learn to perform Breast Self Examination (BSE). This should be done a few days after the menstrual period has ended and in those women after menopause, on the same date every month.
• Cervix – Most cases of cervical (mouth of uterus) cancers could be prevented if all women above the age of 35 had regular pelvic examination and "Pap smear which is a simple, painless test, in which the doctor collects cells from the surface of the cervix by means of a cotton swab. These cells are examined under a microscope to detect abnormal cells and hence pick up a pre-cancerous lesion. Treated at this stage, cancer can be prevented in women. This can pick up a cancer almost 5-10 years before its occurrence.