Performing regular oral self-exams may help spot early signs of oral cancer. Everyone should also have regular dental appointments that include an oral exam.

Who Is at Risk for Oral Cancer?

Key risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use (any form, including cigarettes and spit tobacco), alcohol use, a past history and head and neck cancer, and exposure of the lips to the sun (without use of a lip balm containing sunscreen). The combination of tobacco use and alcohol use greatly increases the risk for oral cancer. Self-exams may be particularly important for people who use tobacco and/or alcohol.

Symptoms of Oral Cancer

The following are common symptoms of oral cancer:

• Patches inside your mouth or on your lips that are white, a mixture of red and white, or red
  • White patches (leukoplakia) are the most common. White patches sometimes become malignant.
  • Mixed red and white patches (erythroleukoplakia) are more likely than white patches to become malignant.
  • Red patches (erythroplakia) are brightly colored, smooth areas that often become malignant.
• A sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal
• Any swelling, thickening, lump, bump, or rough or eroded area
• Bleeding in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing; feeling that something is stuck in the back of the throat
• A change in your bite, or difficulty wearing dentures
• Numbness or tenderness in the mouth, neck, face
• A lump in your neck
• An earache

Self-Exam

Thoroughly examine your mouth for the symptoms of oral cancer listed above. Use a light to get a better view. If you are a spit tobacco user, pay special attention to the area where you typically hold tobacco in your mouth.

• Look at your lips from the outside and then pull each one out to examine the inside surfaces. Feel for any lumps or bumps.
• Pull out and back on each of your cheeks and look at the inside surfaces.
• With upper and lower teeth touching, check the gums bordering the outside surfaces of your teeth.
• Open wide and check the inside gum surfaces; use a mirror to view the roof of your mouth and the upper inside gum surfaces.
• Run your finger across your gum surfaces and the inside of your cheeks to check for any bumps or other abnormalities.
• Stick out your tongue and examine the top; move it from side to side and lift it up in order to view all the surfaces. Feel your tongue for lumps.
• Check your teeth for looseness.
• Finally, feel your neck for any lumps or swellings.

Report any changes to your dentist or physician promptly; she or he can do a professional examination to further evaluate any symptoms. Keep a record of your exams, both self and professional. Note any findings.