• Guidelines for treating this cancer are treated by members of BC Cancer's Head and Neck Tumour Group.
• For health professional information on treating this cancer, please see our Cancer Management Guidelines.
• Mouth cancer may also be called oral cancer, oral cavity cancer, tongue cancer, or lip cancer.
• The mouth or oral cavity includes: the lips, gums, the front two thirds (the mobile part) of the tongue, the hard palate, the floor of the mouth, the lining of the cheeks, and the salivary glands.
• The mouth is necessary for talking, eating, chewing, and swallowing. Salivary glands make the saliva that moistens the mouth and helps digest food.

What causes it and who gets it?

Listed below are some of the known causes of this cancer. Not all of the risk factors below may cause this cancer, but they may be contributing factors. 

• Tobacco use in any form increases risk of developing mouth cancer. The longer tobacco has been used, the greater the risk.
• Heavy drinking in those who do not smoke increases the risk for mouth cancer.
• Drinking alcohol in combination with tobacco use greatly increases the risk of mouth cancer.
• Passive smoking (spending time in a smoking environment, or living with a smoker) increases risk.
• Long-term unprotected exposure to strong sunlight increases the risk of lip cancer.
• Chewing betel or areca nuts (found in paan, chaalia, gutka and naswar) increases the risk of mouth cancer.
• A diet low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of mouth cancer.
• Chronic irritation from poorly-fitted dentures may increase the risk.
• Chronic gum disease (periodontal disease) may increase the risk of tongue cancer.
• Infection with human papillomavirus may increase risk of developing mouth cancer.
• Statistics:
  
• BC
  
• Canada

Can I help to prevent it?

Most mouth cancers can be prevented. Tobacco and alcohol use are the major risk factors for developing mouth cancer. 

• To reduce your risk, don’t smoke, and avoid exposure to tobacco and cigarette smoke. Even if you have been using tobacco for many years, quitting will reduce your cancer risk. Support is available to help you successfully quit. Visit the BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Tobacco for information and resources. 
• Avoid excessive use of alcohol. Not drinking at all will reduce your cancer risk the most. If you choose to drink alcohol, the key is to keep your drinking at the safest possible levels, called low-risk drinking. The American Institute for Cancer Research advises that if you do drink alcohol, limit your consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. 
• Patients who are cured of mouth cancer are more likely to develop a second cancer if they continue to use tobacco and alcohol. Even if you are diagnosed with a mouth cancer, quitting tobacco and alcohol can reduce the possibility of the cancer returning.
• If you work outdoors, use sunscreen on your lips, and protect your face by wearing a broad-brimmed hat. 
• Eating healthy, nutritious foods can reduce your cancer risk. Follow the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide and visit the BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention page on Nutrition for information and resources. In particular, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can reduce your risk for this cancer.
  
• Visit your dentist regularly.
  

Screening for this cancer

• Regular dental checkups, including a full-mouth exam are the best method of screening for mouth cancers.
• BC Cancer's Oral Cancer Prevention Program works with dentists and dental hygienists to prevent the development of oral cancer, and to detect it at the earliest possible stage.

Signs and Symptoms

• Your dentist will check your mouth for these signs during your regular visits. If any of the following symptoms last for more than two weeks, visit a dentist or doctor.
• The most common symptom is an ulcer or sore or swelling in the mouth that doesn't heal.
• A lump, thickening or rough spot in the mouth that doesn't go away or seems to be growing.
• The appearance of different coloured spots in the mouth or lips. They may also feel different.
• White spots are known as leukoplakia.
• Red coloured spots are called erythroplakia.
• Pain, numbness, tenderness of the lips, mouth jaw or ear.
• Chewing or swallowing difficulties.
• A change in the way your teeth fit together.
• A change in your voice.