Oral Cancer
Oral cancer causes 130,000 deaths annually in India, which translates to 14 deaths per hour. In its early stages, oral cancer can be treated in up to 90% of cases. Early detection of oral cancer can improve the chances of successful treatment, therefore being aware of the signs and risk factors is essential.
Examine your lips, tongue, gums, cheek lining and tongue, as well as the floor and roof of your mouth for the following signs.
• color change in the oral tissues (whitish or red spots)
• a lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area
• a sore that bleeds easily or does not heal
• pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or
• on the lips
• difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw…show more content… • Neck—press along the sides and front of the neck for tenderness or lumps.
• Lips—pull your lower lip down and look for sores or color changes.Then, use your thumb and forefinger to feel the lip for lumps, bumps, or changes in texture. Repeat this on your upper lip.
• Cheek—examine your inner cheek for red, white, or dark patches. Put your index finger on the inside of your cheek and your thumb on the outside. Gently squeeze and roll your both sides of your cheeks between your fingers to check for any lumps or areas of tenderness.
• Roof of the mouth—tilt your head back and open your mouth wide to look for any lumps and see if the color is different from usual.Touch the roof of your mouth to feel for lumps.
• Floor of the mouth and tongue—extend your tongue and look at the top surface for color and texture. Pull your tongue forward to look at both sides for any swellings or color changes. Examine the underside of the tongue by placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Look at the floor of your mouth and the underside of your tongue for color changes, and press your finger against the underside of your tongue to feel for any lumps or