Oral Cancer appears as a growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away. Oral cancer includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx. When it is caught early, oral cancer is much easier for doctors to treat. Yet most people get a diagnosis when their condition is too advanced to treat effectively. If you see your dentist or doctor regularly and learn how to spot suspicious changes, you’ll have a much better shot at an early diagnosis.

The most common symptoms of oral cancer include:

Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts on the lips, gums, cheek, or other areas inside the mouth

Velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth