A routine checkup covers more than the teeth. An oral cancer screening can detect early changes in the soft tissues of the mouth, such as lumps, sores and red or white patches, often before any discomfort develops. The exam is brief and is usually completed during a regular visit, so it adds little time to an appointment. It relies on careful looking and touch rather than special equipment, and anything unusual leads to a plan for monitoring or further evaluation. How an Oral Cancer Screening Is Carried Out The standard first step is a visual examination and palpation of the