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TranslateOral Cancer
Risk Factors
Your oral (mouth) cancer risk factors increase if you:
- Smoke and use smokeless tobacco.
- Chew tobacco.
- Drink too much alcohol.
- Have a human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or herpes simplex virus infection.
- Eat an unhealthy diet.
- Had exposure to ultraviolet light (UVA), a major cause of lip cancer.
- Have been exposed to certain chemicals in the workplace.
Age Guidelines
At Any Age
Oral cancer today occurs twice as often in males as in females. It’s usually diagnosed in people over the age of 40 years old, but can be found at earlier ages.
The fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, non-smoking individuals who are sexually active. Through sexual contact you can contract the human papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer.
How To Do Your Oral (Mouth) Cancer Checks
Have Regular Dental Doc-checks
Remind your dentist to do an oral (mouth) cancer check, not only by looking inside your mouth with a mirror, but by feeling your tongue and the insides of your lips and cheeks to check for possible signs of cancer, or pre-cancerous tissue changes.
Your dentist may have a great chairside manner and make the process for you as painless as possible, but if s/he doesn’t take the time to check the inside of your mouth during your regular dental check-ups you are being put at risk.
Your Self-check
Look in the mirror. Open your mouth and familiarize yourself with what your normal mouth looks like. Each month check for any signs or symptoms of changes that may have taken place. Call your dentist as soon as possible if you see any changes at all.
Signs And Symptoms
There are many varied oral (mouth) cancer signs and symptoms. You need to be on the lookout for:
- Red or white patches in your mouth or on or under your tongue.
- Mouth ulcers that do not go away or a sore that does not heal or bleeds easily.
- A lump or thickening of the skin or lining of the mouth.
- Pain when swallowing or chewing.
- A painful tongue, or a pain in the neck that doesn’t go away.
- A sore throat or hoarse voice.
- Numbness anywhere in the mouth.
- Jaw pain or stiffness.
- Swelling in the mouth that persists.
- A sensation that something is stuck in the throat.
- Changes in speech.
What Some Oral (Mouth) May Cancers Look Like
A shallow
ulcer on the lower lip
A speckled ulcer
Tongue cancer
A red
patch under the tongue
These photographs are not meant to scare you. Just to remind you about what some oral cancers may look like. Get a doc-check if anything at all doesn’t seem right to you.
Reduce Your Chances Of Getting Oral Cancer
You can reduce your risks of being diagnosed with oral (mouth) cancer by practicing the following:.
- Learn to do your monthly self-checks. Check your mouth regularly for any unusual sores or lesions.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups. A dentist is trained to detect oral (mouth) cancer signs and symptoms.
- Look after your teeth and mouth. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
- Seek advice from a dentist or health professional asap if you notice any unusual symptoms or sores on your lips or in and around your mouth.
Resource: Medscape, Oral Cancer Foundation, American Dental Hygienists Association, ADA and NHS
Frequently Asked Questions
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It is curable if detected early. The Frequently Asked Questions below will help you answer any questions you may have about oral (mouth) cancer prevention and early detection.
Read what the oral cancer risks factors are on this page. Read more
If you smoke or are old enough to have engaged in sexual contact, you are old enough to get oral cancer. Read more
Your eyes and fingers can do the checking and your dentist should do the same… Read more
Oral cancer can affect the mouth, tongue and lips. See what to look for… Read more
Take a peek at the images on this page to become familiar with what they look like. Read more
Regular dental check-ups and this will help keep you on the right track. Read more
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