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Mouth cancer, also known as oral cancer, can develop in various parts inside the mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, under the tongue, on the roof of the mouth, inside the cheeks, and around the wisdom teeth. Recognizing the presence of mouth cancer involves examining your mouth and surrounding areas for specific signs and symptoms. Follow Step 1 below to begin.
Steps
Examining Your Mouth for Mouth Cancer Signs
Check for ulcers and sores on your lips, tongue, cheeks, and the floor of your mouth. While mouth ulcers are common and may not indicate mouth cancer on their own, they can be concerning when accompanied by other symptoms and if they persist for an extended period. Here's what to look for:
- Search for mouth ulcers that haven't healed within two or three weeks.
- Look for recurring mouth ulcers in the same areas of your mouth.
- Inspect mouth ulcers with irregular borders or those that bleed easily when touched.
Check for any unusual color changes or patches inside your mouth. Look out for color alterations on the tongue, lips, and inside of the cheeks that persist for more than two weeks.
- These color changes may appear as red, white, grey, or dark patches.
- You might also notice velvety white or red patches in your mouth.
Recognize sensations of numbness or pain in any part of your mouth. Numbness can occur in various areas of the mouth, face, and neck as a potential sign of cancer.
- You may also experience continuous pain or tenderness in specific areas of your mouth.
- If you encounter any of these symptoms, with or without swelling or lumps, it's essential to seek immediate medical attention.
Look for rough, scaly patches around your mouth and lips. These patches may feel rough to the touch, have irregular borders, and bleed easily.
Examine your teeth for any changes in alignment. Carefully inspect your teeth for alterations in alignment and check for any loose teeth, which could also indicate mouth cancer.
- If you wear dentures, try putting them on to see if they fit properly. Difficulty in fitting dentures may indicate changes in tooth alignment.
Spotting Additional Symptoms
Check for any abnormal lumps or swelling on the side of your face and neck. Examine your neck and face for any unusual lumps, swelling, or bumps.
- Gently press along the sides of your neck to check for pain, tenderness, or lumps. Look for any unusual growths or moles on the skin.
- Use your thumb and index finger to pull out your lower and upper lips respectively, and inspect for any irregularities or lumps.
- With your index finger inside your cheeks and your thumb outside, feel for any changes in texture, pain, swelling, or lumps by gently squeezing and rolling the skin.
Consider whether you're experiencing difficulty eating or speaking. Difficulty with speaking or chewing, along with other symptoms, could be signs of mouth cancer. Specific symptoms include:
- Inability to swallow food or liquids, or experiencing pain when swallowing.
- Loss of taste sensation during eating.
- Sensation of something stuck in the throat while swallowing.
- Stiffness affecting tongue and jaw movement.
Pay attention to any changes in your voice. Mouth cancer may exert pressure on the vocal cords, resulting in alterations in voice quality.
- Your voice may become hoarse.
- You might feel throat pain while speaking, eating, or at rest.
Be aware of ear discomfort or swollen neck glands. Check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck by gently pressing the lymph nodes located beneath your jawline and under your earlobes.
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes are common due to mouth cancer affecting lymph node drainage.
- Ear pain may occur as the cancer applies pressure to the inner ear, indicating advanced cancer spread.
Monitor any changes in weight or appetite. Mouth cancer may cause difficulty eating or swallowing, leading to weight loss.
- In addition to eating challenges, reduced appetite due to the illness can further contribute to weight loss.
Conducting Your Self-Examination
Utilize a compact mirror to examine the interior of your mouth. A wall mirror may not provide a clear view, so opt for a handheld mirror that can fit inside your mouth for a thorough self-examination.
Perform the self-examination in a well-illuminated area. Adequate lighting is crucial for a comprehensive view of your mouth, hence conduct the examination in a brightly lit room near a lamp.
- You may also use a small flashlight to illuminate the inside of your mouth.
Ensure your hands are clean prior to conducting the examination. Wash your hands with soap and dry them completely before commencing the self-exam to prevent introducing any dirt or bacteria into your mouth.
If you suspect mouth cancer, arrange a consultation with your healthcare provider or dentist. Upon recognizing potential signs and symptoms of mouth cancer as outlined above, promptly schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or dentist for testing and confirmation of diagnosis.
- Early detection is paramount for successful treatment, as with all cancer types.
Learn about preventive measures against mouth cancer. If you've confirmed you're free from mouth cancer but aim to prevent its occurrence in the future, consider these preventive steps:
- Avoid smoking or tobacco use.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Protect your lips from the sun with SPF.
- Visit your dentist for a check-up every six months.
Helpful Tips
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If you work with certain chemicals like sulfuric acid, formaldehyde, or asbestos, it's beneficial to request an oral cancer screening test from your dentist during routine check-ups.
Warnings
- If you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, your risk of developing esophageal cancer is slightly higher.
