I dont smoke or drink, but am I still at risk for oral cancer? What are the signs of oral cancer?
Oral cancer can occur on the tongue, lips, floor of the mouth, soft palate, tonsils, salivary glands or in the back of the throat. If detected early, the cure rate for oral cancer is better than 75-80% after five years. Signs of oral cancer include: • A sore in the mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal • A lump or thickening in the cheek that can be felt with the tongue • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth • Soreness or a feeling that something is caught in the throat • Difficulty chewing or swallowing • Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth Approximately 95% of oral cancer afflicts those 40 years and older. It accounts for more than 8,000 deaths yearly and strikes more than 30,000 Americans each year. In addition to older individuals, those at risk for oral cancer include those who use tobacco in any form (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco) and those who consume high amounts of alcohol on a regular basis. The American Dental Associatio
