Oral Cancer Information
Symptoms & Detection
Early Detection of Oral Cancer
Regular checkups that include an examination of the entire mouth can detect precancerous conditions or the early stages of oral cancer. Your doctor and dentist should perform oral cancer screening by checking the tissues in your mouth as part of your routine exams.
Possible Oral Cancer Symptoms
Oral cancer usually occurs in people over the age of 45 but can develop at any age. These are some possible symptoms of oral cancer to watch for:
A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal
A lump on the lip or in the mouth or throat
A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
Unusual bleeding, pain, or numbness in the mouth
A sore throat that does not go away, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat
Difficulty or pain with chewing or swallowing
Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
A change in the voice
Pain in the ear
These symptoms may be caused by oral cancer or by other, less serious problems. It is important to see a dentist or doctor about any possible oral cancer symptoms like these, so that the problem can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
