Conducting Monthly Self-Checks for Oral Cancer
October 22, 2018 Image Credit:We know that a diagnosis of oral cancer can be scary to hear, but most oral cancers are quite treatable if caught in the early stages. This article will teach you about the early signs of oral cancer and how to conduct a monthly self-check to check for oral cancer symptoms. It’s important to be proactive about your own dental health!
Risk Factors & Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
There are a few risk factors that put you at an even higher chance of developing oral cancer. These risk factors include chewing or smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, biting the lips or cheeks, and exposure to UV rays. If you fall into any of these categories, it’s even more important to know the warning signs of oral cancer. These warning signs include:- Spots of discoloration, including white, red, brown, or any other color
- Repeated bouts of bleeding that takes a long time to stop
- Pain or numbness in areas of the face or mouth
- Lumps, swelling, or small bumps
- Open sores that appear and don’t heal within a week or two
- Neck – Press along the front and sides of the neck
- Face – Check the skin of the face for any of the above signs
- Cheeks – Make sure to examine both the insides and the outsides of the cheeks
- Lips – Check the insides and outsides of both the upper and lower lips
- Tongue – Examine the top, bottom, and sides of the tongue
- Roof of the Mouth – Use your finger or a small mirror to check the roof of the mouth