About Oral CancerOral cancer includes cancers of the mouth and the throat. About two-thirds of oral cancers occur in the mouth and about one-third are in the throat.

Oral cancer is diagnosed in about 28,000 Americans each year and causes about 7,200 deaths. Oral cancer is two times more common in men than in women and 35% more common in black men than in white men.

Oral cancer spreads quickly. Currently, only half of those diagnosed with the disease survive more than five years. This is why early diagnosis and treatment is so important. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Preventing Oral CancerLower Your Risk

Most oral cancer is preventable.

• 75% of oral cancers are related to tobacco use, alcohol use, or the use of both together.

• Using both tobacco and alcohol puts you at much greater risk than using either tobacco or alcohol alone.

• Do not use tobacco products -- cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes or cigars. Tobacco in all forms increases your risk for all cancers including oral cancer.

• Drinking 1.6 oz. or more of alcohol per day doubles your risk for oral cancer.

• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been linked to oral cancer.

• Use lip balm that contains sunscreen. Sun exposure is the number one cause for lip cancer.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eating at least five fruits and vegetables per day as a part of a low fat, high fiber diet may help reduce cancer risk. A healthy diet can reduce your over all cancer risk by 30%.

ResourcesAmericAn cAncer society Phone: (800) ACS-2345 http://www.cancer.org

JAck t. clArk FoundAtionPhone: (512) 244-0577, TDD: (512) 244-0476http://www.tagd.org/oral-cancer-brochures

nAtionAl cAncer institute Phone: (800) 4-CANCER, TTY: (800) 332-8615http://www.cancer.gov

nAtionAl orAl HeAltH inFormAtion cleArinGHousePhone: (301) 402-7364http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation

orAl cAncer FoundAtionhttp://www.oralcancerfoundation.org

texAs depArtment stAte HeAltH servicesPhone: (888) 963-7111, TDD: (512) 458-7708 http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/

u.s. depArtment oF HeAltH And HumAn services AGency For HeAltH cAre policy And reseArcH (AHcpr), Phone: (301) 427-1364; TDD: (888) 586-6340http://www.ahrq.gov/

Place personal sticker here Oral Cancer

Know the Facts about

Finding Oral CancerIt is important to find oral cancer as early as possible, when it can be treated more successfully.

An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. An oral cancer exam is painless and takes only a few minutes.

Your regular dental check-up is a good time to have the exam. During the exam, your dentist or dental hygienist will check your face, neck, lips, and entire mouth for possible signs of cancer.

Some parts of the throat are not visible during an oral exam. Ask your dentist if you should see a specialist.

The Early Warning SignsSee a dentists or physician if any of the following appear and last for more than two weeks.

• A sore, irritation, lump or thick patch in your mouth, lip, or throat

• A white or red patch in your mouth

• A feeling that something is caught in your throat

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

• Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue

• Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth

• Swelling of your jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable

• Pain in one ear without hearing loss

Oral CancerBe aware and report to a health care professional any red or white, raised or rough areas:

Red patch on the inside of your cheek

Red patch on the back of your throat

Answer these Questions• When you look in the mirror do you see any lumps,

bumps, or swellings that are only on one side of your face?

• Do you notice any color or size changes, sores, moles, or growths on your face?

• Do you feel any tenderness or lumps when you press on the sides and front of your neck?

• Do you see any sores or color changes when you look inside your mouth with your lower lip pulled down? Do you feel any lumps or bumps on your lip or changes in texture?

• Do you see any sores or color changes when you look inside your mouth with your upper lip pulled up? Do you feel any lumps or bumps on your lip or changes in texture?

• Do you see any red, white, or dark patches on the inside of your cheeks? Do you feel any lumps or areas of tenderness when you run your fingers across the inside and outside of the cheeks?

• Do you see any lumps or changes in color when you open your mouth wide? Do you feel any lumps on the roof of your mouth?

• Do you notice any swelling or color changes on the top, bottom and sides of your tongue when you pull your tongue from side to side?

• Do you see any color changes on the floor of your mouth and the underside of your tongue? Do you feel any lumps or swelling on the underside of your tongue?

self-examination is not intended as a substitute for professional oral cancer screening. see your dentist or physician immediately if you answered “yes” to any of these questions.

White patch onthe floor of your mouth

White patch underyour tongue, on the floor of your mouth