General & Preventive
Oral Cancer Screening in Downey
Oral cancer is highly treatable when it is caught early — and the screening takes about ninety seconds. Dr. Sameer Aljanedi performs one at every routine exam, with no separate appointment needed.
Se habla español · Serving Downey, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Bellflower & nearby
What the screening actually involves
There is no dye, no needle and no discomfort. We look at and gently feel the soft tissues most people never examine themselves: the lips, the sides and underside of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, the cheeks, the palate and the back of the throat, plus the lymph nodes along the jaw and neck.
We are looking for things that do not belong — a sore that has not healed in two weeks, a red or white patch, a lump or thickening, or an area that has changed since your last visit. Because we see you regularly, we are comparing against a baseline, which is exactly what makes routine screening effective.
Why everyone gets screened — not just smokers
Tobacco and heavy alcohol use remain the largest risk factors, and HPV-related throat cancers have been rising for years. But roughly a quarter of people diagnosed have none of the classic risk factors at all. That is the whole argument for screening everybody, every time, rather than only the patients who look high-risk on paper.
Sun exposure matters too — the lower lip is a common site — so a lip balm with SPF is a genuinely useful habit in Southern California.
If we find something
Most findings turn out to be harmless: a cheek bite, a canker sore, irritation from a denture edge or a sharp filling. When something looks unremarkable but we want to be certain, we note it, treat the obvious cause and re-check in about two weeks. If an area persists or looks suspicious, we refer you promptly to an oral surgeon for a biopsy — the only way to know for sure.
We would far rather send you for a biopsy that comes back clear than watch and wait. Caught at an early, localized stage, oral cancer outcomes are dramatically better than when it is found late.
Signs worth a phone call
- A mouth sore or ulcer that has not healed within two weeks
- A red, white or speckled patch anywhere in the mouth
- A lump, thickening or rough spot on the lip, gum or cheek
- Persistent hoarseness, a sore throat, or a feeling that something is caught
- Numbness, or pain and difficulty when chewing or swallowing
Any of these deserve a look — call us rather than waiting for your next cleaning.
Request an appointment with Dr. Sameer Aljanedi in Downey — book online or call our team. We welcome new patients, accept most PPO & HMO plans plus Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal, and se habla español.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the oral cancer screening cost extra?
No. It is part of your routine comprehensive and periodic exams at no separate charge — we consider it a standard part of a thorough checkup, not an add-on.
Does it hurt?
Not at all. It is a visual and gentle hands-on examination of your mouth, jaw and neck. It takes about a minute and a half, and there is nothing to recover from.
How often should I be screened?
At every routine exam — for most patients that means twice a year. If you use tobacco, drink heavily, or have a history of oral lesions, we may want to see you more often.
I do not smoke. Do I still need this?
Yes. About a quarter of people diagnosed with oral cancer have none of the traditional risk factors, and HPV-related cases occur in non-smokers. Screening everyone is what makes early detection work.
What happens if you find something suspicious?
Most findings are harmless and we simply re-check in two weeks after removing any obvious irritant. If an area persists or looks concerning, we refer you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy right away.