Oral Cancer

Oral and oropharyngeal cancers occur in the mouth, in the very back of the mouth (the oropharynx), and on the exterior lip of the mouth. The mortality rate is particularly high, not because it is difficult to diagnose, but because it often goes unnoticed. That is why awareness and early protection are so important.

Early Detection and Screening

When it comes to oral cancer, early detection is key. You can learn more about the compelling statistics from the Oral Cancer Foundation.

Regular dental checkups that include an examination of the entire head and neck can be vital in detecting cancer early. It’s important to talk to your dentist if you’ve had any changes in your medical history or if you’ve been experiencing any new or unusual symptoms.

As part of an oral cancer screening, your dentist will check your oral cavity—including your lips, cheek lining, gums, the front part of your tongue, the floor of your mouth, and the roof of your mouth. He or she also will examine your throat at the soft part at the roof of your mouth, including your tonsils, the back section of your tongue, and where your tongue attaches to the bottom of your mouth. The dentist will then feel your jaw and neck for any lumps or abnormalities.

Self-Exams

You can take an active role in detecting signs of oral cancer by taking a few minutes, once a month, to examine your lips, gums, cheek linings, tongue, and the floor and roof of your mouth.

To perform a complete oral cancer self-exam, use a bright light and a mirror to:

Look for any white or red spots inside your lips and around the inside of your cheeks
Pull your lip out to look for any raised or thickened areas at the front and inside of your gums
Lift your head back to inspect the roof of your mouth, feel with your forefinger for any bumps or growths, and look for any color changes that are evident
Take a clean gauze or tissue and gently pull your tongue out to view all surfaces on it to observe if there are any color changes or if any red or white lesions are present
Feel for lumps in the neck and lower jaw region on both sides

While oral cancer self-exams should be considered a secondary, preventive technique in detecting early lip and mouth lesions, they should never take the place of a professional exam. So be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and a thorough oral cancer screening.

Risk Factors

Research has identified several factors that increase the risk of developing oral cancers. Top risk factors for oral cancer include:

Smoking and chewing tobacco
Heavy alcohol consumption
The human papilloma virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted and associated with throat cancers

Men are two times more likely to get oral cancers than women.

Symptoms

Man touching side of his face and grimacing in pain

Oral cancer often starts as a tiny, unnoticed white or red spot or sore anywhere in the mouth area, including the lips, gum tissue, tongue, or the roof of your mouth.

Other signs of oral cancer include:

A sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips
A lump or thickening in your mouth or neck
Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving your tongue or jaw
A change in the way teeth fit together
A sore throat, feeling like something is caught in your throat, hoarseness, or a change in voice

It is important to let your dentist know if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you’ve had them for two weeks or more.