What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer can affect any of the soft tissues in your mouth, including your lips, tongue, soft palate, and gums. Like other forms of cancer, this condition occurs when cells begin to multiply too rapidly, leading to irregular growths. The signs of oral cancer can include:
- Red or white patches inside your mouth
- Sores that will not heal
- Lumps inside your mouth or a thickening of the soft tissues
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loose teeth
- A change in the way your dentures fit
- Pain when chewing or swallowing
- Chronic sore throat
The disease can affect anyone. However, you face a much higher risk for oral cancer if you are a current or past smoker. You are also more likely to develop the condition if you have a family history of cancer, you drink large amounts of alcohol, or you have been exposed to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
