The facts about oral cancer: screenings, symptoms, and prevention

What to expect at the dentist

During your regular exam, your dentist will look for these warning signs by checking your lips, gums, tongue, cheek lining, and the roof and floor of your mouth. They will also examine your throat, including your tonsils, and feel your jaw and neck for any lumps or abnormalities. Finally, your dentist will ask you about current and past health-related behaviors and your medical history.

It’s important to note, that oral cancer screenings don’t diagnose cancer. Healthcare providers use screenings to look for signs of cancer. If your provider finds anything suspicious, they’ll refer you to a specialist for further testing, diagnosis and treatment.

How to screen yourself at home

While an at-home screening won't replace your bi-annual screening in a healthcare provider's office, it's a good way to check for early signs. 

Ask your provider how to perform a screening at home. Here are some general guidelines from the Cleveland Clinic:

• Look in the mirror and check your face for any recent changes, including swelling, lumps, rashes or moles.

• Run your fingers along your jawline and down the sides of your neck. Check for swelling and any areas of asymmetry.

• Pull each lip away from your teeth. Look for any discoloration and feel for any lumps or bumps.

• Gently pull your cheeks outward. Look for patches of red or white. Feel along your inner cheeks to check for lesions or areas of tenderness.

• Use your thumb and index finger to feel along your gum line. Be sure to check the tongue side, too.

• Carefully pull your tongue out and check for any swelling or discoloration. Touch the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Check for any abnormalities under your tongue.

• Next, tilt your head back to look at the roof of your mouth. Take note of any discoloration or mouth ulcers.

• Finally, lift your tongue and feel the floor of your mouth for tenderness, ulcers or swelling.

• A lump found in the neck can be a sign of advanced oral cancer, so feeling your neck for masses or swelling is important.

Make note of anything questionable and call your healthcare provider for further instructions.

Am I at Risk for Oral Cancer?

Most oral cancer is preventable. However, there are certain risk factors that make you more likely than others to get it. A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. Some risk factors are preventable and some are not, such as your family history. But just because you have one or more risk factors does not mean you will get oral cancer. Or you could have no risk factors and still get the disease. According to the American Dental Association, 25 percent of people with oral cancer had no known risk factors prior to getting the disease.

^{Remember, your oral health is tied to your overall health. Make it a priority to attend every scheduled dentist appointment and other regular medical checkups so you are more likely to catch any health issues early.}