Breaking Down Oral Cancer: Prevention, Detection, and Outcomes

By: Brittany M

Oral cancer affects the tissues of your mouth and throat. Because early signs are often subtle or painless, it can go unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage. But with early detection and healthy habits, the outcomes can dramatically improve.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer refers to abnormal cell growth in areas of the mouth and throat. It is generally divided into two main categories:

• Oral cavity cancer – This affects the lips, gums, teeth, cheeks, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the roof of the mouth (hard palate).

• Oropharyngeal cancer – This involves the back of the mouth, including the soft palate, tonsils, the back one-third of the tongue, and the area where the tongue connects to the throat.

  
  

Key Risk Factors

Understanding what increases your risk can help you take steps to protect yourself. Major risk factors include:

• Tobacco use (smoking or smokeless forms)

• Heavy alcohol consumption

• Human papillomavirus (HPV), especially type 16

• Age (risk increases after 40)

• Prolonged sun exposure (especially for lip cancer)

• Poor nutrition (low intake of fruits and vegetables)

• Family history of cancer

• Previous oral lesions or precancerous conditions

  
  

Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

If any of the following symptoms last longer than two weeks, see your dentist or doctor right away:

• A sore, lump, or thickened patch in the mouth, throat, or on the lip

• White or red patches inside the mouth

• A persistent sore throat or the feeling of something stuck in the throat

• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking

• Numbness or loss of feeling in parts of the mouth

• Voice changes or hoarseness

• Trouble moving the jaw or tongue

• Jaw swelling that affects denture fit

• Persistent ear pain

• Bleeding or pain in the mouth

• A lump in the neck

  
  

How Is Oral Cancer Detected?

Early detection often begins at your routine dental checkup:

• Your dentist will perform a head and neck exam, checking your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and throat.

• If something looks abnormal, they may recommend imaging (e.g., X-rays or scans) and a biopsy, removing a small tissue sample to check for cancer cells.

  
  

Early diagnosis means better treatment options and better chances of survival.

Treatment & Outcomes

Treatment depends on the stage, location, and type of cancer, as well as your general health. Common treatment options include:

• Surgery – to remove the tumor

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Targeted drug therapy or immunotherapy – to attack cancer cells more precisely

  
  

If found early, surgery or radiation alone may be enough. In more advanced cases, a combination of therapies is typically required.Your healthcare team will tailor the approach to your specific case.

Prevention: What You Can Do

Good habits make a big difference. Here's how to lower your risk:

• Avoid or quit all tobacco products

• Limit alcohol use

• Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine

• See your dentist regularly

• Tell your dentist or physician about any suspicious changes right away

Final Thoughts

You use your mouth every day to eat, speak, smile, and connect with others. That’s why protecting it is so important. Staying informed, visiting your dentist regularly, and knowing the signs can help detect problems early, when they’re most treatable.

Don't wait. Be proactive. Your mouth matters.

References:

American Dental Association. (n.d.). Oral cancer. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/oral-cancer

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (n.d.). Oral cancer. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-cancer#overview

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Oral cancer. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://medlineplus.gov/oralcancer.html

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board