If you are a smoker, vaper, or chewer of nicotine, you may know you are at a higher risk of getting oral cancer than people who don't use tobacco. If you do smoke, you need to know the warning signs for oral cancer. While only three percent of all cancers are oral cancer, the earlier you catch it, the greater your chances of survival are. Here are some ways to recognize oral cancer.
Signs of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can look like a canker sore, which is a very red or white crater in your mouth. However, unlike canker sores, oral cancer doesn't go away. If you have had a canker sore for a week or longer, you need to make an appointment to see a dentist.
Oral cancer doesn't always look like canker sores. You may notice a white patch or a red patch on your tongue, gums, or cheek. Oral cancer can also appear as a lump or bump in your mouth. While some people describe oral cancer as painful, other cancer survivors say their oral cancer is painless.
Oral Cancer Screenings
People who are at risk of oral cancer can get screened at the dentist's office. Your dentist may begin your screening with a look inside your mouth. If the dentist thinks you may have a suspicious lump or patch on your skin, you may want to undergo an additional cancer screening. There are several ways a dentist can screen you for cancer. Dentists can use a light to look at your mouth thoroughly. Also, there are special rinses the dentist can use that make any possible cancers stand out in your mouth. Saliva tests are also available to test for oral cancer.
Remember to ask the dentist about screening for oral cancer. The sooner you get screened for oral cancers, the sooner you can put your worries to rest.
If you are a smoker, vaper, or chewer of nicotine, you may know you are at a higher risk of getting oral cancer than people who don't use tobacco. If you do smoke, you need to know the warning signs for oral cancer. While only three percent of all cancers are oral cancer, the earlier you catch it, the greater your chances of survival are. Here are some ways to recognize oral cancer.