Oral Cancer Screening in Jacksonville, FL
Oral cancer is most treatable when it is found early, and it is often painless in its early stages. A careful screening takes only a few minutes and is part of every comprehensive exam in our office.
Why screening with Dr. Henley is different
Dr. CJ Henley serves on the Head & Neck Tumor Board at Baptist MD Anderson and works with oncologists, surgeons and radiation specialists every week. That experience shapes how he examines every patient. He knows what early disease looks like, what is harmless, and when something needs a closer look.
What happens during an oral cancer screening
A visual exam of the lips, cheeks, gums, tongue (top, sides and underneath), floor of the mouth, palate and throat
A hands-on exam of the jaw, neck and lymph nodes for lumps or tenderness
A review of your risk factors and any changes you’ve noticed
Photos and measurements of anything worth monitoring, so changes can be tracked over time
Signs you shouldn’t ignore
See a dentist if any of these last longer than two weeks:
A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
A red, white or mixed patch
A lump, thickening or rough spot
Numbness, or pain without an obvious cause
Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw
Persistent hoarseness or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
Who is at higher risk?
Tobacco use of any kind, heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, significant sun exposure (for lip cancer), age over 40 and a prior head and neck cancer all raise risk. Oral cancer also occurs in people with no risk factors, which is why we screen everyone.
Found a lump? It’s often something harmless
Many bumps in the mouth are benign. A common example is a torus palatinus, a bony growth on the roof of the mouth. An exam is the quickest way to know for certain.
If we find something
Most findings need only monitoring. If a biopsy or referral is appropriate, Dr. Henley coordinates directly with the right specialist and stays involved. That includes dental care before, during and after cancer treatment if it is ever needed.
Schedule an oral cancer screening
Visit us in our San Marco office at 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Call 904.398.1549 to schedule.
Can a nonsmoker need an oral cancer evaluation?
Yes. Tobacco and alcohol are important risk factors, but their absence does not rule out cancer or another condition that needs assessment. A screening examination looks for changes; a biopsy or specialist evaluation may be needed to determine what a lesion is.
What mouth changes should I report?
Tell us about a persistent sore, red or white patch, lump, unexplained numbness, or difficulty swallowing. Our guide to warning signs of mouth cancer explains symptoms to bring to an examination. Patients with a known diagnosis can also read about head and neck cancer care and dental care during cancer treatment.
How does tobacco fit into prevention?
Tell your dentist and medical clinician about smoking, smokeless tobacco, and vaping. They can discuss cessation support and examine the mouth. A dental screening does not make continued tobacco use safe. For quitting support, visit CDC smoking-cessation resources.
A clinical photograph from Dr. Henley’s archive
The original case post described this tongue lesion in a nonsmoker as premalignant. A photograph cannot diagnose a new lesion; a persistent change needs an examination.
