Overview
Oral cancer is a cancer of the mouth — the tongue, cheeks, gums or lips — and India has one of the highest rates in the world, driven largely by chewing tobacco, gutka, paan masala and areca nut, along with smoking and alcohol. It often begins as a painless ulcer, white or red patch, or lump that does not heal. Caught early it is very treatable, so any mouth change lasting more than a few weeks in a tobacco user must be checked without delay.
Symptoms
- A mouth ulcer or sore that does not heal in three weeks
- A white or red patch inside the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek, gum or tongue
- Difficulty or pain on chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue
- Loose teeth, numbness, or reduced mouth opening
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or dentist for any mouth ulcer, patch or lump lasting more than three weeks, especially if you use tobacco — early treatment saves lives.
Causes
Chewing tobacco, gutka, paan and areca nut, smoking, and heavy alcohol use. Long-term HPV infection is a less common cause.