Key Indications of Mouth Cancer

Although the most common forms of cancer are prostate, lung, skin, and breast, there are over one hundred types, some of which are more severe than others. Of these, mouth cancer isn't as widely discussed. In terms of risk factors, tobacco significantly increases an individual's risk, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all mouth cancer cases.

There are both early and late warning signs, so any abnormal symptoms should be viewed by a medical professional. When caught early, oral cancer is one of the most preventable. Once advanced, this kind of cancer is much harder to treat, taking the lives of over 9,500 Americans each year.

With this in mind, it is crucial for individuals to understand the various key symptoms of mouth cancer so they can seek out medical advice sooner rather than later.

A Sore That Doesn't Heal

When suffering from mouth cancer, individuals often experience painful sores known as ulcers. However, broken areas of skin are not always painful, even if they are caused by cancer. They are generally yellow or red, appearing without any obvious cause, such as a sharp tooth, that needs to be addressed.

If a mouth ulcer does not heal after three weeks, it needs to be examined by a physician. In many cases, a lesion is diagnosed as being precancerous. This means although the cells are abnormal, they are confined to the mouth lining. Once these cells develop below the mucosal lining, a malignancy can then progress into oral cancer.

Continue reading to uncover more warning signs of mouth cancer now.