Oral cancer is among the most common cancers in India, and it is closely tied to chewing tobacco, gutkha, khaini, paan masala and areca nut. It is also one of the easiest cancers to look for, because the mouth can be examined directly.
What we look for
Screening is a careful examination of the lips, tongue, floor and roof of the mouth, inner cheeks, gums and throat, along with the lymph nodes in the neck. It takes only a few minutes and involves no needles or imaging.
We are looking for changes that often appear well before cancer does — particularly white or red patches, and reduced ability to open the mouth.
Warning signs worth acting on
- A mouth ulcer that has not healed in three weeks
- A white or red patch inside the mouth
- A lump or thickening in the cheek
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing or chewing
- Gradual reduction in how wide you can open your mouth
- A persistent hoarse voice
- A lump in the neck
Pre-cancerous conditions can be treated
Leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis are pre-cancerous conditions strongly associated with tobacco and areca nut use. Identified early — and combined with stopping the habit — they can often be managed before cancer develops.
If you use tobacco in any form, see tobacco cessation counselling. Stopping is the single most effective step available to you.
Part of our preventive oncology services.