5. Risk factors for oral cancer
The known risk factors for oral cancer include:
• using tobacco products, including:
– smoking
– long-term exposure to secondhand smoke
– smokeless tobacco
• chewing betel quid or gutka
• drinking alcohol
• having an oral HPV infection
• having frequent exposure to UV light (lip cancers)
• being an older age
• being assigned male at birth
6.
7. Before doing a clinical oral exam
• your history of tobacco and alcohol use
• whether or not anyone in your family has had
oral cancer
• if you’ve recently noticed any concerning
areas in your mouth
• if you’ve ever had a biopsy on a suspicious
area in your mouth or have previously been
diagnosed with oral cancer
8. During the exam
• outside and inside of your lips
• insides of both cheeks
• your gums
• sides, top, and bottom of your tongue
• roof and floor of your mouth
• back of your throat
• lymph nodes in your neck
9.
10. Oral self-exams
• Because you know your body best and may pick
up on concerning changes first, it’s also important
to do regular self-exams of your mouth. Like a
clinical oral exam, self-exams only take a few
minutes to do.
• During a self-exam, you’ll check your lips, tongue,
and mouth for lesions or lumps while standing in
front of a bathroom mirror. If you notice anything
new or concerning, you can then see a dentist or
doctor to have them check it out.
11. Oral health recommendations
• brushing your teeth twice a day with
a fluoride toothpaste
• flossing between your teeth at least once a
day
• limiting foods and drinks that are high in sugar
• not smoking or quitting smoking if you do
smoke
• being sure to see your dentist for routine
checkups and cleanings
12. Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
that you should be aware of
• red or white patches in your mouth
• irritated spots or sores that don’t go away in a
few weeks
• lumps or masses in or around your mouth
• difficulty chewing
• jaw swelling
• difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
• areas of numbness in your mouth
13. Other symptoms that oral cancer may
have spread to your throat and
surrounding tissues include:
• a sore throat that doesn’t go away
• feeling like you have a lump in your throat
• hoarse voice
• painful or difficulty swallowing
• ear pain
• swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Editor's Notes
Anatomy of the oral cavity. The oral cavity includes the lips, hard palate (the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth), soft palate (the muscular back portion of the roof of the mouth), retromolar trigone (the area behind the wisdom teeth), front two-thirds of the tongue, gingiva (gums), buccal mucosa (the inner lining of the lips and cheeks), and floor of the mouth under the tongue.
According to the National Cancer InstituteTrusted Source and the ACSTrusted Source, there’s no routine screening test in use for oral cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force notes that the main screening test for oral cancer is a clinical exam of the mouth.
This is often done during routine dental checkups, although a doctor may do them as well.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for oral cancers, there’s currently no approved testTrusted Source to check for HPV in the mouth or throat.
