Mouth cancer - how to reduce your risk
This page is about reducing your risk of getting mouth cancer. There is information about
Mouth cancer can develop in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, the gums, or the skin lining the mouth or the lips. It is more common in men than in women and is rare in people under 40. Our habits and lifestyle can have a big effect on our risk of mouth cancer.
Remember that most cases of mouth cancer could be completely avoided.
But if you do get mouth cancer, early diagnosis means a very good chance of cure.
The most important causes are
- Smoking tobacco – including pipes and cigars
- Chewing tobacco
- Betel quid or paan masala
- Regularly drinking more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day (2 units for women)
If you smoke or chew tobacco AND drink too much, you have a much higher risk of getting mouth cancer. As many as 3 out of 4 (75%) mouth cancers diagnosed develop in people who use tobacco and also drink alcohol.
You can help to spot mouth cancer early by checking for any of the signs listed below. But it is better to try to stop it happening in the first place. Try to
- Stop smoking or chewing tobacco completely
- Keep within the safe limits for drinking alcohol
- Eat healthily – have 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
Organisations that can help you to stop smoking are listed on CancerHelp UK. There is also a lot of information about helping to prevent cancer and our News and Resources website has information about healthy eating.
There are signs you can spot if you spend a few moments in front of the mirror looking inside your mouth.
The most common symptoms of mouth cancer are
- A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal
- Discomfort or pain in the mouth that doesn't go away
It can also cause
- White patches anywhere in your mouth (leukoplakia)
- Red patches anywhere in your mouth (erythroplakia)
- A lump on the lip, tongue or in the mouth or throat
- Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- Pain when chewing or swallowing
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Dentures feeling uncomfortable and not fitting properly
- A change in your voice
- Speech problems
- Weight loss
- A lump in the neck
White patches (leukoplakia) or red patches (erythroplakia) can be signs of precancerous changes. Precancerous cells are abnormal, but they are not yet cancer. If left untreated, precancerous changes can go on to develop into cancer. But if you get the condition treated, you can prevent a cancer from developing.
There is no official screening programme, but your dentist should check for mouth cancer as part of your 6 monthly routine dental check up. Dentists have special training in picking up health problems and are often first to spot mouth cancers. If you are over 40, smoke, chew tobacco and drink alcohol, get a mouth check once a year from your dentist – even if you no longer have your own teeth.
Cancer Research UK is running a national campaign for mouth cancer called Open Up to Mouth Cancer. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the causes and signs of mouth cancer. There is information about the warning signs of mouth cancer and how to reduce your risk.
And there is more detailed information about mouth cancer in the mouth and oropharyngeal section of CancerHelp UK.
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