
Learn here about oral cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms. Know what's normal and be alert for changes in your mouth by doing a regular oral cancer self-exam.
Risk Factors for Oral Cancer
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Epstein-Barr Virus
- Betel quid and areca nut
- Previous cancer
- Family history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- Sun exposure
- Diet low in vegetables and fruit
- Weakened immune system
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
- Lichen planus
- Poor oral health
- Inherited conditions
Top 7 Risk Factors for Oral Cancer - American Dental Association
Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer often causes symptoms at an early stage. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as oral cancer.
The most common symptom of oral cancer is an ulcer or sore in the mouth or on the lip that doesn't heal. Another common symptom of oral cancer is pain in the mouth that doesn't go away.
- a sore that doesn't heal
- pain in the mouth that doesn't go away
- a sore that bleeds
- tongue pain
- white patches, red patches or mixed red and white patches on the lips or in the mouth
- a lump or growth on the lips, in the mouth or on the tongue
- thickening of the inner cheek lining
- earache that doesn't go away
- loose teeth
- dentures that no longer fit
- slurred speech
- voice changes
- swollen salivary glands
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- numbness or loss of sensation over the tongue or lips
- jaw pain or stiffness
- difficult or painful swallowing
- difficult or painful chewing
- weight loss
Get to know your mouth and how to check it for early signs of oral cancer:
View this video to learn how to do an Oral Cancer Self-Exam:
Resources and Links:
Canadian Cancer Society -
http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/oral/oral-cancer/?region=on
http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/oropharyngeal/oropharyngeal-cancer/?region=on
CheckYourMouth.org -
Mayo Clinic -
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350997
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association -
http://files.cdha.ca/profession/resources/Oral_Cancer_FactSheet.pdf
http://files.cdha.ca/profession/resources/factSheet_OralCancer_print_en.pdf
Canadian Dental Association -
https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/diseases/oral_cancer.asp
National Cancer Institute -
https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/patient/oral-screening-pdq